Early in 2024, ActionSpace supported ActionSpace artist Babajide Brian in applying for an Arts Council England Developing your Creative Practice grant. Babajide Brian was successful in his application and received the funding to help him take his practice to the next level, particularly focusing on printmaking, research and development of his drawing practice. This funding coincides with Babajide’s LOEWE FOUNDATION / Studio Voltaire Award studio which has provided him with his own studio for two years.
About Babajide Brian
Babajide’s practice primarily focuses on two areas: portraits and architecture. Mainly working with pencil, mechanical pencil, and fine liners on paper, he creates producing predominately black and white detailed drawings. His current, ongoing work is a series of over 100 drawings, both portraits and shirt designs, based on the 30th anniversary of the FA Premier League, the history and identity of each football club, the supporters, and the club’s city. The work is diverse, documenting many faces from different nationalities and cultures through black and white mark making. The artwork is based on extensive, detailed research, exploring the culture, politics of the sport and how the culture has evolved with his unique take.
DYCP Update
Since receiving the funding, Babjide has been exploring and experimenting with new avenues to develop his practice through a series of printmaking one to one workshops at East London Printmakers. Working directly with print specialist Anne Norfield, Babjide has had the space, facilities and training to explore silk screen printing and test different techniques and colourways.
Trips and visits
Visiting and experiencing the architecture of different football stadiums has been an important part of Babajide Brian’s research and development supported by the DYCP funding. Babajide and ActionSpace Artist Facilitator Louis Casely, travelled to Manchester to visit the Etihad Stadium, home to Manchester City F.C., and the National Football Museum. Babajide has also visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the London Stadium, home to West Ham F.C. and Selhurst Park Stadium, home to Crystal Palace F.C. to draw from first hand and gather inspiration.
Sharing and Mentoring
Mentoring and artist studio visits have also been an important part of this period of research and development. Babjide has visited artists Ed Gray, Alvaro Barrington and Djofray Makumbu at their studios to learn more about their practice and expand his network. After visiting Alvaro Barrington at his studio, Babjide visited Alvaro’s Tate Britain commission titled Grace.
In May and June, Babajide was invited to lead two workshops as part of his ongoing professional development, as well as part of Studio Voltaire’s Learning Programme. Both sessions were led by Jide, supported by Studio Voltaire and ActionSpace. One of the workshops was for students from Lansdowne School, where Babajide used to attend as a student.
”I was very lucky to meet Jide at the Studio Voltaire in Clapham. I enjoyed it so much because he was very nice and polite and I loved his artworks, I really loved his landscape drawing and one of his footballer drawings. Jide gave me good advice about doing artwork and never to give up, and embrace and learn from our mistakes. I really enjoyed the experience and I’d like to visit Studio Voltaire again soon. I also asked him about his time at Lansdowne and what art techniques he uses. He also wishes me luck in my Arts Awards Silver Certificate.” – School student
Over this period Jide has also received additional mentoring from artist Ali Eisa to gain further insight in developing his practice.
Babajide Brian reflects on the DYCP grant so far:
“The DYCP funding is going very well, it has helped me develop independence in the development of my work and also given me the chance to experiment with new techniques like screen printing and other ways of producing my work. Going on a recent trip to Manchester and meeting with fellow artists has also helped with my research and development which is central to how I create my current artwork to date.”
OOF Gallery & OOF Magazine
An interview with ActionSpace artist Babajide Brian featured in Issue 14 of OOF Magazine. To mark the launch of the issue, OOF Gallery presents two solo exhibitions of works by Babajide Brian and Craigie Harper, open 30 November – 22 December 2024.
Promotion and Prints
We are also supporting Jide in creating his own website which he can update with new works straight from the studio.
Babjide’s drive and clear vision for the development of his practice have meant that this incredible opportunity has enabled him to strengthen and expand his work across multiple fronts, to establish a clear path within and beyond his LOEWE FOUNDATION / Studio Voltaire award studio and the next steps in his practice. Stay tuned for more news!
This project is funded by an Arts Council England Developing Your Practice Grant
