Art sales proceeds of Yinka Shonibare are being channeled towards philanthropic efforts in Africa.

G.A.S. Foundation Shapes African Art Landscape with Multi-dimensional Approach

The Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation, established by renowned artist Yinka Shonibare in 2019, has made a significant impact on the African art scene. Based in Nigeria, the foundation operates two facilities: G.A.S. Lagos Residency and G.A.S. Farm House residency in Ijebu, Ogun State.

G.A.S. Foundation aims to foster collaboration, experimentation, and professional development for mid-career artists and curators across Africa. Through initiatives like residencies, research programs, exhibitions, workshops, and multi-year projects, the foundation encourages cultural exchange and innovation.

One of the key impacts of G.A.S. Foundation is its residency programmes and partnerships. These provide mid-career artists and participants with space and resources to develop their practice in a contextually rich environment. For instance, the 12-week ethnobotany residency by Jonn Gale in Ikiṣẹ, Nigeria, linked local traditional knowledge with contemporary ecological research, bridging local expertise with broader artistic inquiry.

The foundation's work also supports major exhibitions on the continent. Yinka Shonibare's "Safiotra [Hybridités/Hybridities]" at Fondation H in Madagascar, for example, highlighted African cultural hybridity and identity. This exhibition, Shonibare's first major show on African soil, demonstrates the foundation's commitment to showcasing both established and emerging African voices within global contemporary art conversations.

G.A.S. Foundation also organises collaborative, multi-disciplinary programs. An example is Re:assemblages (2025–26), a multi-year initiative co-curated with the Yinka Shonibare Foundation. This programme encourages collaboration across postcolonial African and Afro-diasporic archives and libraries, leading to international convenings, symposia, and research outputs.

Community engagement and education are also integral to G.A.S. Foundation's mission. Workshops with local school children, for instance, support artistic engagement and education at grassroots levels, thereby nurturing future generations and enriching the cultural ecosystem locally.

Notable artists who have benefited from G.A.S. Foundation's programmes include Amanda Iheme, who used her residency to expand her research skills as an artist, and Joey Aresoa, a Malagasy artist who will be in residency at G.A.S. Foundation in Nigeria later this year. Aresoa's residency marks her first international residency.

Yinka Shonibare expresses fulfilment in supporting artists in Nigeria and Africa. He realised the lack of infrastructure to foster artistic talent in Lagos and started the nonprofit G.A.S. Foundation. The foundation is funded by patrons and money from the sales of Shonibare's art.

The G.A.S. Foundation's work is commended for helping craft a detailed understanding of Africa's past and contributing to a cathartic and inspiring body of work. Shonibare's artwork, "The African Library (2018)", is now part of Fondation H's permanent collection.

In 2022, the G.A.S. Fellowship Award, an annual initiative to support mid-career artists and curators across Africa, was announced. The digital interface of "The African Library" provides biographies in Malagasy. The G.A.S. Foundation also boasts an amazing library for artists' research.

The G.A.S. Foundation developed from the Guest Projects initiative founded by Shonibare in London in 2008. Amanda Iheme, a 2024 honoree of the G.A.S. Fellowship Award, found the recognition affirming and validating. Joey Aresoa's residency at G.A.S. Foundation is expected to be transformative for her.

Yinka Shonibare's work was displayed at the Venice Biennale and Serpentine Galleries in London, and he is currently having an exhibition at Fondation H in Madagascar. The G.A.S. Foundation has helped artists in countries with growing art scenes, and its impact on the African art landscape continues to grow.

[1] G.A.S. Foundation website: https://gasfoundation.org/ [3] Yinka Shonibare Foundation website: https://yinkashonibarefoundation.org/ [5] Fondation H website: https://www.fondationh.org/

The G.A.S. Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by artist Yinka Shonibare, exhibits a contemporary flair in promoting African art.
Through its projects, the G.A.S. Foundation encourages artistic exploration and educates future generations, fostering a vibrant art lifestyle in Africa.
The biennale scene flourishes with the influence of G.A.S. Foundation, as seen in Yinka Shonibare's participation at the Venice Biennale.
Artists such as Amanda Iheme and Joey Aresoa have benefited from the foundation's residency programs, enhancing their skills and expanding their artistic reach.
The G.A.S. Foundation's commitment to supporting artists extends to funding through art sales and patron contributions.
Re:assemblages, a multi-year program co-curated with the Yinka Shonibare Foundation, delves into postcolonial African and Afro-diasporic archives and libraries, promoting cultural exchange.
Food, fashion, and travel industries intertwine with the African art landscape, as seen in the foundation's events and partnerships, making a statement in lifestyle and culture.
The foundation's collaborative approach extends to home and garden, with workshops engaging children in artistic exploration and education.
Yinka Shonibare's "Safiotra [Hybridités/Hybridities]" at Fondation H, showcasing African cultural hybridity, exemplifies the foundation's dedication to elevating African voices in global contemporary art conversations.
The G.A.S. Foundation's library resources and award programs serve as valuable tools for researchers and artists, shaping a profound understanding of African art and history.

Art sales proceeds of Yinka Shonibare are being channeled towards philanthropic efforts in Africa.