Our journey at the 4th Lagos Biennale, under the theme Refuge curated by Folakunle Oshun and Kathryn Weir, was the culmination of nearly three years of artistic research and dedication. The process of creating re-(t)exHile unfolded over an intensive week of hands-on production at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.
We began by immersing ourselves in the vast Katangua market, a major hub for second-hand textiles in Lagos. Here, we selected garments, each carrying its own history, to serve as the raw material for our piece.
The following days were dedicated to transforming these materials. We sorted, cut, and meticulously assembled the fabrics, gradually shaping them into a cohesive structure. The final step—sewing—brought everything together, as individual pieces were stitched into a textile refuge.
This work was made possible through the incredible support and collaboration of our local partners. Adebola Badmus, Creative Director of DSA LAGOS, and her team brought their expertise and dedication to every stage of the production. Ebunoluwa Orebanjo’s deep knowledge of the market landscape guided us through the process of sourcing materials, and Timilehin Oludare Osanyintolu played a crucial role in facilitating our connections.