Artist-In-Residence

AT A GLANCE

An annual six-week program for two emerging African artists from the continent or the African diaspora.

Taking place each Fall, the artist residency is an annual six-week program based in Accra, Ghana. Inaugurated in November 2020, the residency invites two emerging African artists with previous technical training, but limited access to infrastructure and material resources, to expand on their practice in a dedicated studio space and retreat.

Favoring a comprehensive experience that brings together artistic and personal growth, the Noldor Artist Residency unfolds across two distinct spaces. The first is a 150-square-meter warehouse studio space located in Accra’s seaside Labadi district, where the artist resides and creates for the majority of the six-week program. During the final week, the artist relocates to a secluded retreat in the periphery of central Accra – a private equestrian residence which acts as a removed psychological sanctuary favoring personal development and emotional well-being. With the support of a clinical psychologist, the artist receives personal, professional and creative guidance.

During the residency, the artists produce a dedicated portfolio of work, rooted in their existing practice and cultivated throughout this experience in the residency. At the end of the program, the works are exhibited for one month within the warehouse space, open to both key actors of the local art industry and to local audiences. The body of work is subsequently brought to global audiences through partnerships with international galleries in London, New York, Paris, and more.

Foster Sakyiamah, a Ghanaian artist, and Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola, a Nigerian artist, were our 2021 Artists in Residence, and they debuted their preview show in December 2021. Foster Sakyiamah had his first virtual space, VSPACE, with London-based gallerist Adrian Sutton and will have his first solo exhibition in New York in April 2022 at the Allouche Gallery.

Our 2022 Artists-in-Residence were Ghanaian artist, Dela Anyah and Nigerian artist, Mobolaji Ogunrosoye.