Deutsche Bank today announced its support for Yinka Shonibare Foundation (Y.S.F.) and Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation’s joint initiative to nurture the next wave of creative generations in Nigeria: Project Nexus.
Project Nexus is an ambitious residency and education programme designed to nurture and empower artists, art educators, art historians, and curators through a series of residencies, professional development workshops, and educational initiatives over three years. The project embodies the spirit of collaboration and cultural exchange that lies at the heart of both Foundations’ missions, aiming to encourage and cultivate artistic excellence and curatorial innovation.
Vathany Vijayaratna, UK CEO, Deutsche Bank (L) with Y.S.F. and G.A.S. Founder and Chair Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. Photographer: Andrew McLaughlin.
Part of Deutsche Bank’s wider global CSR programme, the 3 years support will benefit more than 150 African/Nigerian artists and local school children in Nigeria through the following activities:
- Residencies for mid-career creative practitioners from Nigeria and the wider African continent, providing them with crucial time and space to develop their practice and engage with the local cultural community.
- Focused mentorship and skill-building opportunities for rising local artists in Nigeria.
- Workshops and training for school teachers and children at selected Primary and Art schools in Nigeria.
"At Deutsche Bank we believe that arts and culture has the power to inspire creativity, empower learning and enable collaboration, sustainably and for the long term. Over the past decade, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA has done this, facilitating international cultural exchange and supporting creative practices through his Foundation and its residencies, collaborations and education projects. We look forward to working together to support the work of the Foundation in developing new work and ideas, fostering mutual understanding of cultural differences, building access and creating new pathways to education, forging new networks and a resilient cultural infrastructure and ultimately in Yinka’s words ‘enabling the next generation to thrive, not just survive."
- Andreas Voss, Chief Country Officer for Deutsche Bank in Nigeria
“In harnessing the power of collaboration and the generosity of visionary supporters, we are laying the foundation for a legacy that transcends generations. Together, we are forging a future where Guest Artists Space stands as a testament to the transformative potential of collective action.”
- Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Founder and Chair Y.S.F. and G.A.S.
Yinka Shonibare's artwork is part of The Deutsche Bank Collection. Three works are featured at Deutsche Bank's new London headquarters at 21 Moorfields in the city of London – Modern Magic VI, 2022 and two works from the Revolution series, 2013.
From L-R: Siti Osman (Philanthropy & Patrons Manager, Y.S.F.), Okenna Nzelu (Deutsche Bank, Wealth Management Africa Market), Gerald Gorhan (Deutsche Bank, Director Wealth Management Africa Market), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Christoph Woerman (CMO Corporate Bank, Deutsche Bank), Vathany Vijayaratna (UKI CEO, Deutsche Bank), Mary Findlay (International Art Curator, Deutsche Bank), Belinda Holden (CEO, Y.S.F.), Magda Kaggwa (Comms & Projects Manager, Y.S.F.). Photographer: Andrew McLaughlin.
Header Image: From L-R: Belinda Holden (CEO, Y.S.F.), Christoph Woerman (CMO Corporate Bank, Deutsche Bank), Mary Findlay (International Art Curator, Deutsche Bank), and Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. Photographer: Andrew McLaughlin.
Press Enquiries
Yinka Shonibare Foundation: Magda Kaggwa | magda@yinkashonibarefoundation.com
Deutsche Bank AG: Mohanad Nahas | mohanad.nahas@db.com