In the latest round of Africell and Angola AIR’s artist-in-residency programme, Angolan artist and performer Yola Balanga – who specialises in painting, video and photography – spent a month in our studio in Luanda, developing her practical skills, producing several original works, and networking with fellow artists, gallerists and buyers. During her residency, Yola hosted a roundtable for other young artists and curators in Galeria 10A, Africell’s state-of-the-art exhibition space at our head office in central Luanda.
Upon completion of the residency, Yola said: “As someone still building my career as an artist, it is invaluable to receive the support and encouragement of Africell, which despite being a major technology brand in Angla is also known for its serious commitment to arts and creativity”.
Launched in 2023, Africell x Angola AIR gives emerging artists from Africell’s operating markets the opportunity to travel to Angola, one of Africa’s creative powerhouses. Previous participants have included Hawa-Jane Bangura from Sierra Leone and Theo Mwamba from Democratic Republic of Congo. The next participant will be Lena Nian, a photographer from The Gambia, who is due to begin her residency in mid-February 2025.
