The Artist Ladder Konnect [TALK] Residency Set for a Transformational Inaugural Edition.

After successful online sessions, with positive reviews and testimonials about the impact and depth of its content, The Artist Ladder Konnect [TALK] is now set to launch an in-person program on Monday, December 6, 2021, in the city of Lagos, Nigeria.

The Artist Ladder, an initiative of a contemporary Art media company, ‘Art for a Reason, Africa’, was set up in late 2019 for the support, opportunities, education, liaison, and career advancement of African artists and creatives. After engaging in several projects and activities in line with its vision, The Artist Ladder Konnect[TALK] online series was launched some months ago, featuring insightful conversations with experts and practitioners within the Nigerian and global Art scene. Following a successful digital run, and with an apparent need for more extensive and intensive sessions, Art for a Reason, Africa is now set to launch a physical edition, The Artist Ladder Konnect [TALK] Residency, a Hybrid [On-site and Off-site] immersive and participatory programme, designed to give emerging artists a rounded, transformational experience.

TALK Residency is a two-phased project, kicking off with an on-site 5-day local residency designed to bring together six emerging and mid-career artists to operate outside their usual environment, providing the space, as well as time to engage, reflect, connect and produce compelling work. During this phase, the artists-in-residence will engage in transformative and career-elevating discourse and exercises with visiting facilitators, as well as mentor-in-residence OlusegunAdejumo,  Nigerian post-war and contemporary Painter whose superior draughtsmanship is evidenced throughout the vast corpus of his paintings, drawings, and illustrations. This first phase will run from Monday, the 6^th of December through Friday, the 10^th of December, 2021 at The Love Portion Creative Hub in Ajah, Lagos.

Speaking about TALK Residency, the Director of the Programme, Blessing Bee Azubike, a Cultural Producer and Arts Consultant says “We are excited to launch TALK Residency, and through it, we aim to ‘Connect, Nurture and Transform’emerging and mid-career artists.”

Azubike, who aptly goes by the moniker ‘Chief ARTvocate’is extremely passionate about the Arts and the development of the Artist. “I believe that the artist must be a witness to his time in history – documenting and interpreting the times” She explains “… and our goal for the residency is to cause a shift in the minds of the artist, as well as help them understand their role and power as social engineers, influencers and culture-shapers.”

One of the visiting facilitators, Imal Silva, Artist, Business Consultant and former Gallery owner, who will be joining the Residency programme from Abujasays “The Residency is a time out to renew ones creative capabilities collaboratively. More importantly, it is a time to inspire and guide upcoming artists to find their path, to think critically and communicate their perspectives for the upliftment of humanity.”

After the first phase, an extension of the 5-day programme will follow with the residency participants returning to their homes, from where their mentorship will continue for 3 months, with various capacity-building activities, including studio and gallery visits and artist talks. To round off the on-site and off-site phases of the TALK programme, works inspired by and created within the residency will be displayed at an exhibition, set to hold in 2022.

The Artist Ladder Konnect [TALK] Residency program is supported by Goethe Institut Lagos and The Love Portion Creative Hub.