The fifth edition of our annual Lagos Art Tour began on Tuesday 29th October, with the G.A.S. and Y.S.F. teams warmly welcoming patrons and friends of the Foundations from across the globe who arrived throughout the day at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Early arrivals had the opportunity to attend two optional events: Stories of a Broken Water Cycle, presented by Polly Alakija at the Nordic Hotel, an interactive event addressing climate change in Nigerian communities, and the Manifold Exhibition at Alara Concept Store, showcasing global Black female and non-binary artists. These activities started a dynamic week filled with networking opportunities and an immersive dive into the vibrant Lagos arts and culture scene.
Lagos Art Tour Day One: Visits to Kelani Abass' Studio and Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art.
Wednesday, 30th October marked the first full day of the tour, which offered a refreshing taste of life beyond the bustling metropolis of Lagos. Guests departed early for the G.A.S. Farm House in Ikise-Ijebu, Ogun State, located on the 54-acre Ecology Green Farm founded by Shonibare in 2018. Along the way, the group stopped off at Kelani Abass' studio for an intimate glimpse into his creative practice which is rooted in exploring material heritage and personal archives. At the farm, visitors took a short tour of the Ecology Green Farm, viewed works-in-progress by G.A.S. Farm House-based residents, Ofem Ubi and Kosisochukwu Nnebe and enjoyed a curated lunch by Chef Vanessa Cole. The day trip concluded with a visit to the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art to view their current exhibition Collecting Now: Perspectives on Contemporary Art Collecting in Nigeria. On their return to Lagos, our guests joined the kó Gallery Soiree, hosted by G.A.S. Patron Kavita Chellaram, for an evening of live performance and networking.
Lagos Art Tour Day One: A Trip to G.A.S. Farm House.
On Thursday 31st October, our tour guests began their day at G.A.S. Lagos for a Networking Breakfast. Building tours of the foundation’s facilities were followed by presentations from Annotations co-curator Naima Hassan and current G.A.S. residents—Shabu Mwangi, Theophilus Imani, Liz Kobusinge, Ofem Ubi, and Kosisochukwu Nnebe—who shared their residency insights and creative journeys with the audience. This was followed by an exclusive tour of the refurbished National Theatre, delving into its FESTAC '77 legacy and contemporary significance. Afterwards, the group attended a private view of The Indigo Project's Deep as the Sea, Wide as the Sky, at Yaba College of Technology, spotlighting the global journey of indigo and its artisanal heritage. The evening culminated in an intimate soiree hosted by G.A.S. Trustee Ugoma Ebilah, offering attendees a glimpse into her diverse personal collection.
Lagos Art Tour Day Two: G.A.S. Networking Breakfast.
Friday began with a Morning Salon at The Art Hotel, hosted by Tilga Art Fund founder and G.A.S. Residency Partner Wally Bakare. Set against the backdrop of an exhibition showcasing works by past and present Tilga Prize winners and runners-up, the event featured an inspiring conversation between Ugo Ahiakwo, the 2024 Tilga Art Prize winner, and Amanda Iheme, the 2023 G.A.S. Fellow. Together, they explored the transformative power and potential of artist residencies.
Lunch at Tiwani Contemporary offered an opportunity to view their current exhibition Where My Gaze Falls, a poignant exploration of familial intimacy by Sikelela Owen. The journey continued with visits to the studios of artists Kwadwo Esiedu and Mobolaji Ogunrosoye. These intimate settings provided guests with a unique opportunity to delve into their creative practices and explore their perspectives on navigating life as contemporary artists living and working in Lagos. The day concluded with a private view of ART X Lagos, West Africa’s premier art fair, followed by a group dinner at Kaly with G.A.S. residents.
Lagos Art Tour Day Three: Tilga Art Prize Morning Salon at Art Hotel, Tiwani Contemporary Luncheon, Kwadwo Esiedu Studio Visit, and Mobolaji Ogunrosoye Studio Visit.
The penultimate day of the Lagos Art Tour began with a visit to kó Gallery to view Kindred Spirits: A Gathering of the Aka Circle of Artists, and meet selected exhibition artists. Founded in 1985 by El Anatsui and Obiora Udechukwu, the Aka Circle of Exhibiting Artists was a pioneering force in Nigeria's contemporary art scene between 1986 and 2000. The day continued with Write, If You Please at Treehouse Lagos, a showcase of alternative publishing practices curated by Annotations co-curator Maryam Kazeem. This was followed by a lunch visit to the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence, where guests had the rare opportunity to view the private art collection featuring works by renowned artists such as Yinka Shonibare, Joy Labinjo, and Ben Enwonwu.
The day continued with a series of gallery visits, showcasing the diverse narratives of emerging local talents. Highlights included a group presentation at Affinity Art Gallery, Chigozie Obi’s introspective works at Yenwa Gallery, and Taiye Idahor’s compelling exploration of identity at O’DA Art. In the evening our guests returned to G.A.S. Lagos for the Lagos Art Tour Finissage hosted in conjunction with our corporate partner, Deutche Bank, where Yinka Shonibare’s welcome address set the tone for a celebratory night of live music, celebration, and camaraderie.
Lagos Art Tour Day Four: Lunch at the British Deputy High Commission in Nigeria.
Sunday 3rd November marked the final day of the tour. The morning began with a visit to the bustling Lekki Arts and Crafts Market, where guests explored a vibrant assortment of African art, crafts, and handmade goods. In the afternoon, guests could opt for a curated tour of Lagos’ independent fashion boutiques, spotlighting sustainable and locally produced designs hosted by stylist Hannah Osanyintolu, founder of Sisíhannah Fashion Stylists. The day concluded with a farewell dinner at SLoW, a brasserie renowned for its fusion of Latin American and West African flavours—a perfect finale to an engaging and dynamic week in Lagos and beyond.
G.A.S. Foundation Artists in Residence (L-R): Ofem Ubi, Theophilus Imani, Kosisochukwu Nnebe, Liz Kobusinge and Shabu Mwangi.