London-based ethnobotanist Jonn Gale, whose work explores botanical collections and their cultural significance, recently concluded a 12-week residency at G.A.S. Foundation. Structured as part of her PhD placement, her residency was primarily based at the G.A.S. Farm House in Ikise. During her time there, Jonn focused on reimagining botanical archiving, designing and facilitating community-centered workshops, and contributing to ongoing knowledge-sharing initiatives. Central to her research was an engagement with local plant growers, healers, and other knowledge-keepers. Through these interactions, she documented traditional agricultural practices, herbal knowledge, and biocultural conservation efforts, forming the basis for what she calls a living botanical archive.

Shatha Afify, an interdisciplinary artist, storyteller, and awardee of the third edition of the G.A.S. Foundation's Fellowship, joins us for a six-week residency at G.A.S. Lagos. Her multifaceted practice spans installation, moving image, performance, sound, research, curatorial work, and literature. Shatha’s work explores themes of memory, silence, and resistance, drawing from both personal and collective histories, with a focus on Egyptian and African cultural narratives.

Join us at G.A.S. Lagos on May 3rd, 2025, for Retelling and Creating New Memories, an exciting collage workshop for children, presented in collaboration with The Children’s Art Gallery (TCAG). This fun and creative workshop will be led by current resident Rachel Anyo, whose multidisciplinary artistic practice explores personal histories and cultural narratives. In this hands-on workshop, children will explore the rich worlds of both old and modern archives, discovering how personal stories and photographs can be transformed into powerful creative materials. Through collage techniques, they will mix and match images to tell their own stories and contribute to a larger, collective artwork. The goal is to help children create new memories by connecting past and present in imaginative and expressive ways.

Join us at G.A.S. Lagos on April 30th, 2025 for Unearthing the Archive, an evening of discussion focused on the role of archives in contemporary artistic practice. Hosted by current residents Aisha Seriki and Joy Labinjo, the event will feature a panel discussion led by Aisha in conversation with Joy Labinjo, artist and G.A.S. alumna Mobolaji Ogunrosoye, and Amaize Ojeikere, a photographer, writer, and son of the legendary J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere. Each panellists engage with archival materials as a core aspect of their work, drawing connections between personal and collective histories.

The G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive is delighted to announce the receipt of 43 print materials of Black Orpheus journal, a rare collection of publications from local partner OlongoAfrica. This two year loan will facilitate the work of OlongoAfrica’s Black Orpheus Fellowship, and greatly enhance G.A.S. Foundation’s existing archive collection.