THE OYASAF ARTIST IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMME

Invitation for applications

OYASAF invites Nigerian and international artists to apply for its artists in-residence programme of 2017. This new annual programme, is designed for two sessions of five weeks each within the months of, (1^st September to 30^th November, 2017) and (1^st of March to May 31st, 2018) and thereafter, during the same period each year. The programme will provide artists an opportunity to live and work in an up class and serene environment of Abeokuta, South West of Nigeria (about 100km North of Lagos), to develop their specific individual projects while experiencing and engaging with Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. Abeokuta city is a major historical town in Nigeria. It is the state capital and the largest city in Ogun State of Nigeria’s southwest. It is situated on the east bank of the Ogun River with a most beautiful and ideal environment for artists.

Location and Work Place

The work place of the OYASAF artists in-residence programme is located in the country home of Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon at Abeokuta. The contemporary architectural building, located atop the Abeokuta presidential hill top estate, overlooks the scenic land and cityscape of the historical city, its architecture and life-size bronze sculptural garden is purposely designed for the creative and curious mind.

The residency space is ensuite with spacious living and dining rooms, and a kitchen equipped with up to date cooking facilities. The work space has good natural and artificial light.

Definition of the Programme

This programme is a new project complementing existing programmes of OYASAF with a view to working closely with artists around the globe for an educational, immersive, creative and inclusive experience.

Period of the programme

The programme is divided into two five weekly residency sessions per year, within the two separate periods of (1st of March to May 31st) and (1st September to 30th November) of each year, with each session hosting two artists at a time respectively.

Eligibility

Prior to every session of the OYASAF residency programme, a notice will be put out with an open call for Nigerian and international artists to apply towards engaging in new artistic projects in the range of paint media within the city of Abeokuta.

For cross-cultural purposes, the programme is thus designed to host international and Nigerian artists. On the successful selection of applicants, artists will be residents in the artists’ studio at Abeokuta and will be provided a working space to experiment and research their art production projects and would be provided with logistical support for their artistic creations. The residency will culminate in a one day solo exhibition of the produced works during the residency, at the OYASAF facility in Lagos or any other location as may be decided by OYASAF from time to time. Resident artists will have the opportunity at such exhibitions, to meet Nigerian and non-Nigerian collectors, curators, gallery owners, scholars and journalists.

At the end of each residency programme, artists will be expected to donate one artwork per artist to OYASAF. The artworks donated at the end of each residency will be selected at the absolute discretion of OYASAF.

Stipends

For the OYASAF artist in-residence programme, artists at the beginning of each session, will be provided the following:

·        Living stipends, per artist of one Hundred and fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) per session of five weeks and

·        Production allowance, per artist of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) per session per artist

However, resident artists will be responsible for supplying and providing the tools and materials for their artistic productions during their OYASAF residency programmes.

Application Guidelines

The programme is open to artists working in the paint media only. All applications must be submitted electronically and only those submitted will be accepted. Applicant artists are expected to use Adobe Acrobat to type into the PDF form fields, or otherwise, print their applications and complete them by hand and then scan. All submissions and required supporting documents should be sent online to: oyasaf2000@yahoo.com, as either a direct email attachment, or shared via Dropbox or Google Drive. Attachments must not exceed 10MB. Selection decisions will be made by an OYASAF selection panel which decision shall be final and not justiciable. For more information, please visit: http://www.oyasaf.com/

Also please note that:

·        Applications are now open for the, 1st of September to 30th November 2017, session.

·        Each artist must submit works online, completed by them within the preceding last 2 years of their application.

·        Only successful applicants will be informed via emails by OYASAF.

·        The selection decisions about the OYASAF residency programme shall be final and shall not be open to negotiations and discussion.

·        Applications are expected to reach OYASAF by latest, 60 calendar days before the beginning of each session.  Only successful applicants shall be notified within 3 weeks of the deadlines for the submission of applications.

To apply for the OYASAF residency programme, please, fill in the application form below and dispatch same to OYASAF, with your CV and a portfolio of no more than 5 works. Selection is not only based on applicants’ academic or professional background but attention will be given to the strength of each project proposal and its integration with the local scenic and cultural environment of the programme.

All applications must be submitted in English.

APPLICATION FORM

(Please fill all the areas of this form)

NAME (as appears on your passport)

PSEUDONYME (if applicable)

ADDRESS

COUNTRY

EMAIL

WEBSITE(S)

DATE OF BIRTH

PROPOSAL / OUTLINE OF PROJECT (max 500 words)

POSTCODE (Where applicable)

TELEPHONE

CV (maximum 1 page)

IMAGES OF WORK: (INDICATE ON EACH THE TITLE, MEDIUM, YEAR)

Images should be in jpeg format, maximum size 1MB per image. Images in excess of the limits provided will not be viewed by the panel.

1

2

3

4

5

PREFERRED SESSION: (1st of March to May 31st) OR (1st September to 30th November).

SOURCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT DURING RESIDENCY

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TWO REFEREES ALONG WITH THEIR CONTACT DETAILS, SENT BY THE REFEREES DIRECTLY TO: oyasaf2000@yahoo.com

PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND SEND TO: oyasaf2000@yahoo.com:

SIGN:

VISIT OF NIGERIAN FIELD SOCIETY (NFS) TO OYASAF IN ABEOKUTA

On Saturday 13^th May 2017, eighteen members of the Nigerian Field Society (NFS) led by Edouard Blondeau, arrived to the home of Prince and Chief (Mrs.) Shyllon on the Presidential hilltop in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state. On arrival, they were warmly welcomed by Chief (Mrs.) Funmilayo Shyllon and  Prince Yemisi shyllon.

After some brief introduction, the visitors were taken through a tour of the life size bronze and metal sculptures garden of the edifice. This was followed by a tour of the internal portions of the edifice which commenced with a visit to the two bedroom en-suite guest chalet of the main building.

During the tour of the guest chalet, Prince Shyllon intimated his guests of the intention of OYASAF to use the chalet of the building for the annual OYASAF international artists in-residence program which is about to commence.

The visiting NFS guests, were later taken round the artistically decorated internal portions of the main residence, adorned with contemporary sculptures and paintings.

Refreshment at the terrace overlooking Abeokuta. Photograph by OYASAF documentary photographer: RALPH MFON OBOT

 One of the highlights of the tour, had the visitors enjoying the unique 270degrees terrace overview of Abeokuta city while enjoying some light refreshments. At the terrace of the building overlooking Abeokuta, the visitors were surprised with the cutting of a birthday cake for Dr. Adun Okupe- one of the visiting NFS members. 

Birthday celebration for Dr. Adun Okupe with her mother, Mrs. Fowora Okupe and Prince & Chief (Mrs.) Shyllon . Photograph by OYASAF documentary photographer: RALPH MFON OBOT

Some NFS members could not but enjoy the warmth and fraternize with the artwork outside the gate of the building overlooking the main street and welcoming visitors at the entrance of the building with a smile.

Some of the Members of NFS with Prince Shyllon PHOTO: BY OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OBOT MFON RALPH

OYASAF/UFUK MARBLE ART WORKSHOP

 The  Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art foundation (OYASAF) in collaboration with the UFUK Dialogue Foundation recently, organized a three day ‘’Art for  Peace’’ workshop for artists with the theme; “cultural co-existence, Dialogue, harmony and peace”. The workshop was organized by the two foundations towards uniting the multiple cultural traditions of Nigeria with Turkey.  The three days workshop, started from Monday 24th to Wednesday 26^th of April, 2017. The workshop was facilitated by a renowned Turkish artist, Mr Tugay Yalcin of the Nile University of Nigeria. Nigerians and other nationals were taught the techniques of painting in water colour with marble decorative background - a unique Turkish art.

Facilitating Artist: Tugay Yalcin. Photograph by Oyasaf documentary photographer: OBOT MFON RALPH

 At the workshop, Prince Yemisi  Shyllon, the  Founder and CEO of The Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art foundation (OYASAF) and co-sponsor of the program, in his remarks, informed the participants, about his three (3) years long collaboration with the Ufuk Foundation which includes the sponsored exhibition of some thirteen (13) Nigerian artists in a travelling exhibition of paintings to Ethiopia, Turkey and the United State of America in 2014. His remarks during the interactive session at the workshop, included the importance of provenance, continuous art education, art entrepreneurship, and the improvement of local patronage for Nigerian art.

Prince  Yemisi  Shyllon at the workshop. Photograph by Oyasaf documentary photographer:                   OBOT MFON RALPH

 During the workshop, Nigerian artists learned from Turkish artists and interacted with each other while producing water colour paintings in marble background finish. There were also a general agreement among the participants during their interactive sessions, that African nations need to effectively collaborate among themselves towards creating a well-organized and interactive art practice and embracing indigenous cultural constructs in their creative aspirations.

Artist practicing marble artistry at the workshop. Photograph by Oyasaf documentary photographer: OBOT MFON RALPH

 In total, about 80 artists and non-artists of Nigerian and other national extractions

participated in the workshop ,which included; Clara Aden , Akintunde John ,

 Dimpa Sunday Busaya Lawal , Mfon Ralph Obot, Monsuru Alashe , Yusuf

Durodola,  Noami  Oladipo, Ogaga Tuodeinye, Sotonye Jumbo,  Sunday

Akpedo,  Oluchi  Zom, Joel A, Yusuf Seidu Okus , and Emmanuel Ije and

many others.

A cross section of some of the Participants at the workshop. Photograph by Oyasaf documentary photographer: OBOT MFON RALPH    

Artists that participated in the workshop, were issued with Certificates of participation at the end of the program.

A snap photograph of some of the participants with their certificates of participation at the workshop. Photograph by Oyasaf documentary photographer: OBOT MFON RALPH    

 

Visit of Dr Isabelle Malz to OYASAF

The Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art foundation (OYASAF) was honored with a tour of its art collection on Monday, 1^st of May , 2017 by  Dr Isabelle Malz, a Curator of the Kunstsmmalung  Nordrhein Westfalen Museum  in Duesseldorf, Germany.

Photograph of Dr Isabelle Malz.  PHOTO: BY OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OBOT MFON RALPH

 She was welcomed with a presentation by Prince Yemisi Shyllon on the activities and contributions of the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) to promoting and developing the visual art and culture of Nigeria for a pride of place in the world.

Dr Isabelle Malz being introduced to OYASAF activities at the OYASAF Conference center.  PHOTO: BY OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OBOT MFON RALPH

Her visit was part of an extensive study of Nigeria’s art scene, in order to prepare her for her museum’s 2018 proposed exhibition titled, Excentric Modernism, which is slated to feature modernist painters from three (3) African countries: Nigeria, Senegal and Algeria. The presentation was followed by a guided tour of the foundation’s garden with life size sculptures of bronze, stone and metal works, a tour of the internal walls of OYASAF buildings and its storages, adorned with sculptures and paintings covering the history of Nigeria’s traditional art from the 9^th century, modern and contemporary art history from Aina Onabolu to date.

Omooba Yemisi Shyllon taking Dr Isabelle Malz around the OYASAF gardens.  PHOTO: BY OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OBOT MFON RALPH

The tour was concluded with light refreshments, provided by Chief (Mrs.) Funmilayo Shyllon . 

VISIT OF THE NIGERIAN FIELD SOCIETY (NFS) TO OYASAF

The Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art foundation (OYASAF) was honored with an extensive tour of its art collection by a 24-member delegation of the Nigerian Field Society on Saturday, April 8, 2017. The delegation was led by Robin and Hugh Campbell.

The visitors were welcomed with a presentation by Prince Yemisi Shyllon about the contributions of the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) to the promotion and development of Nigerian visual art and culture for a pride of place in the world.

Members of the Nigerian Field Society being introduced to OYASAF activities in the OYASAF Conference Centre. PHOTO: BY OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OBOT MFON RALPH

The presentation was followed by a guided tour of the foundation’s sculptured (life size) gardens of bronze, stone and metal works, a tour of  the internal walls of OYASAF  buildings and storages with sculptures and paintings covering the history of Nigeria’s modern and contemporary art history from Aina Onabolu to date. The Nigerian Field Society Members also enjoyed viewing OYASAF’s traditional artworks from Igbo Ukwu in the 9^th century and some glimpse of the photographic shots of some fast disappearing cultural festivals of Nigeria in the OYASAF collection.

Omooba Yemisi Shyllon taking some members of the Nigerian Field Society around the OYASAF gardens.  PHOTO: BY OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OBOT MFON RALPH

The tour of the Nigerian Field Society members was concluded with light refreshments, provided by Chief (Mrs.) Funmilayo Shyllon and presentation of an artwork won by one of the Nigerian Field Society members in a quiz about the art history gathered during the tour.

PHOTO: BY OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OBOT MFON RALPH