Performing artist and sculptor, Raymond Pinto, joins us this week for a residency at G.A.S. Lagos. With a focus on the African diaspora and queer and black archives, Raymond's work examines the nature of the dancing body and its impact on our aesthetic dimension. During his residency, Raymond will conduct research in preparation for his exhibition at the Lagos Biennial later in the year.
What is the current focus of your creative practice?
My creative practice focuses on performance art and sculpture, centred on the African diaspora and sourced through queer and black archives.
Photo via CPR – Center for Performance Research
What drew you to apply for this residency and how do you think it will inform your wider practice?
I was drawn to apply for this residency due to the reputation of G.A.S. and the opportunity to do field research in Lagos, which is where I will exhibit at the Lagos biennial later in the year. The residency will inform my wider practice by providing a space for research and development of this new work and an opportunity to engage with the local artistic community and culture.
Can you give us an insight into how you hope to use the opportunity?
During the residency period, I hope to use the opportunity to conduct research and development for a new work that I plan to present later in the year as part of the Lagos biennial. Specifically, I plan to visit various local sites and archives, and network with local artists and cultural figures. Finally, I hope to visit places of interest such as the Badagry Slave Port and Museum, John Randle Centre, and participate in a Lagos Island tour to meet people involved in Egungun (masquerade) festivals.
About
Raymond Pinto is a multidisciplinary performance artist whose work is centred on the African diaspora and sourced through queer and black archives. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Pinto studied dance and graduated from the Juilliard School in 2013, and holds a master's degree with a focus in Performance Studies from New York University.He has worked with internationally touring dance companies, notable choreographers, and artists such as Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Gauthier Dance, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, Jaamil Olawale Kosoko, Bill T. Jones, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Shikeith, Kevin Beasley, and Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion.
As an artist himself, Raymond has presented his own work at festivals, theaters, galleries, workshops, and conferences both locally and globally, including the Judson Memorial Church, MoMA PS1, the Amsterdam Fringe Festival, La Mama Experimental Theater, Participant, Inc., CUE Art Foundation, the Architecture Centrum in Vienna, the Queer Arts Festival in Skopje, Macedonia, and the Venice Biennale. He has also been an artist in residence at Movement Research in NYC and Dance Fellow Art Omi.