The Tracey Emin Foundation has selected IyunOla Sanyaolu for the 2025–26 Artist Residency, a competitive program that provides emerging artists with studio space, mentorship, and also a structured self-directed environment for artistic development.
The residency, facilitated by the Tracey Emin Foundation, takes place in Margate and spans up to 18 months, fostering critical engagement and creative experimentation.
Sanyaolu, born in 1998, is a graduate of the University of Lagos with a background in painting. Her work focuses on materiality and texture, incorporating oil, acrylic, and charcoal to create layered compositions. She employs an approach she describes as “sculpting with paint,” repurposing paint residues to construct tactile surfaces that challenge conventional painterly techniques. Blending abstraction with figurative elements, she further explores the psychological impact of color and form, often drawing from personal experiences and daily observations.
Her practice, influenced by an interest in the therapeutic qualities of art, extends beyond traditional boundaries. The University of Lagos named her Female Visual Artist of the Year in 2018, and she later joined the 2019/2020 Arts in Medicine (AIM) program, which integrates artistic practices with healthcare and also well-being initiatives.
As part of the lead-up to the residency, Sanyaolu will also exhibit her work in TEAR 26, a group exhibition showcasing the nine artists selected for the program. Running from November 15, 2024, to January 31, 2025, the exhibition marks the first collective presentation of the cohort’s work before the residency formally begins in April 2025.
The Tracey Emin Residency has become a significant platform for emerging artists, emphasizing independent practice within a structured support system. While the program is non-accredited, it provides an opportunity for rigorous artistic exploration comparable to a postgraduate-level experience.
