After successfully launching in Spring 2020 Guest Projects Digital, the digital artist residency programme borne out of Shonibare Studio’s long-standing physical residency scheme, returns for a second season on 9th August 2021. A collaborative venture with Guests Artists Space Foundation, the 2021 edition is generously supported by the British Council SSA Arts Digital Catalyst Fund. Following a curated shortlisting process, six emerging creative practitioners based across the UK, Ghana and Nigeria have been selected by a panel of curators from the International Curators Forum and Foundation for Contemporary Art Ghana alongside artists Tayo Ogunbiyi and Doug Fishbone.
The programme is segmented into two types of awards, supporting participation with a wide number of creatives. The first award titled Artist in Focus runs for two-week blocks from 9th August. It offers the artists mentoring support and importantly an opportunity to showcase existing work on the Guest Projects, Yinka Shonibare Foundation and G.A.S Foundation digital channels and website culminating in a participatory event such as a virtual studio visit or artist talk. Selected artists include Nigerian visual artist Ayanfe Olarinde, Ghanaian artists Akwasi Bediako Afrane, Denyse Gawu-Mensah and award-winning British Ghanaian artist and director Baff Akoto.
The second award is a two-month digital residency the latter half of which is public. This offers unparalleled insight and access into the working process of the selected artists through virtual discussions, tours and other events aimed at connecting with a diverse range of online communities. The first ‘public month’ starts on 2nd October 2021 with British Congolese artist Djofray Makumbu. This is followed by Ghanaian artist and DJ Steloolive whose practice combines performance, fashion, art and photography.
Baff Akoto portrait by Roberta Mataityte
Steloolive portrait by Kenturah Davis