Affinity Artist, Joseph Aina has begun a 6-week residency at the prestigious Vannucci Artist Residency (VAR) in Citta della Pieve, Umbria, Italy.

Joseph Aina (b. 1996) is a Nigerian-British artist working between London, Nigeria, and Berlin. Having achieved a degree in law and psychology from the University of Kent in 2018, he pursued his passion for painting at the Royal College of Art in London, where he completed his MA in 2022. Aina explores the idea of human nature in contemporary society, with a focus on how identity and race intersect with popular culture. Through the use of street symbols and media, he sparks a dialogue between individuals and the social environment. His art confronts the viewer’s privilege and preconceived notions about blackness, creating a psychological tension that exposes societal struggles.

The Vannucci Artist Residency, established by the Deighton Family Foundation, is a non-profit program designed to support emerging and mid-career artists and art professionals at critical points in their careers. Located in the picturesque rural area of Città della Pieve in Umbria, Italy, the residency provides participants with the opportunity to enhance their skills and abilities through the exploration and experimentation of new techniques and materials. Beyond the creative work, participants have the chance to reflect, study, and engage with the local community through outreach activities. The residency offers a positive and supportive environment that encourages growth and development in the arts. With a wealth of cultural centres and artistic treasures in the surrounding area, the Vannucci Artist Residency is an exceptional opportunity for artists seeking to advance their careers.

‘The Movement Within’ by Joseph Aina is now on display at the Berntson Bhattacharjee Gallery. This solo show of new works by Aina features new works that explore the complexities of human nature intertwined within the fabric of current society, notably tying identity and race to their roles in popular culture. He combines thick layers of paint to create compositions steeped in the rich patina of antiquity and a profound sense of energy, employing a multi-layered method. As he goes into the depths of his psyche, guided by the rhythms of nature, Aina’s body of work for ‘The Movement Within’ is a watershed moment in his artistic path This series depicts a shift from urban-inspired pictures to a study of rural landscapes, aided by

This series demonstrates a shift from urban-inspired photography to an investigation of rural landscapes, guided by an embedded awareness of his body’s movement through the dimensions of time and space. Previously focusing on street symbols and media, Aina has found new inspiration in the natural world.