A performance by G.A.S. Resident Gareth Nyandoro
In My Garden is a performance piece conceptualised by G.A.S. Lagos resident Gareth Nyandoro. In early 2023 he embarked on backyard greenhouse farming, cultivating harvests of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. This form of urban farming not only sustains his own family but also allows him to share the surplus with members of his local community.
The inspiration for the piece stems from Gareth's newfound passion for urban farming, intertwined with his research experiences at the Ecology Green Farm. During his time there, he had the opportunity to engage with the farm workers, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge and ideas. Additionally, the performance incorporates sculptural elements resembling plants, crafted during his residency using reclaimed bamboo and various found objects, such as fabric and wire.
Gareth's vision is clear: he believes that urban farming should be promoted in high-density areas to ensure food sustainability. He envisions a future where city dwellers explore diverse methods of urban farming to maximise the use of available outdoor spaces. In My Garden serves as a compelling testament to the potential for urban farming and its vital role in creating sustainable food sources in urban environments.
Gareth's residency is generously supported by Tiwani Contemporary.
Event Date: 5th November 2023
Event Time: 5:30pm
Location: G.A.S. Lagos, 9B Hakeem Dickson Drive, off T.F. Kuboye Road, Oniru, Lagos
About Gareth Nyandoro
Born in Zimbabwe, Nyandoro studied Fine Art at Harare Polytechnic in 2003, and Creative Arts and Design at the Chinhoyi University of Technology. In 2014 and 2015 He was a resident artist at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam (the Netherlands). He has been interested in trade, and commerce found in local marketplaces and the human interaction and behavior that would influence the ways in which people arrange their stalls, negotiate trade deals, and sell used goods typically associated with markets such as bicycles, shoes, and clothing rails. His work has also gained the abstraction of human figures. He trained as a printmaker, and has developed a technique that somehow follows the technique of etching which I call “Kucheka Cheka” which in my native language, Shona, means ‘to cut’. It involves using sharp blades to cut shapes and figures into paper, which is then sponged over with ink, prior to stripping the surface layer of paper with tape.