Kòbọmọjẹ́ Artist Residency presented Rust and Gold, an intensive photography workshop with renowned photographer, Babajide Adeniyi-Jones. Drawing from the imagery invoked in J.P. Clark’s 1965 poem “Ibadan,” the residency invited photographers to critically engage with the dualities and contrast within the historical city. The juxtaposition of rust and gold served as elements in Ibadan’s visual, and cultural landscape for what may have been lost and that which remains timeless.
The workshop encouraged the participating photographers to delve deeper into the multifaceted nature of Ibadan—exploring both its historical character and its vibrant contemporary life. The workshop took place from the 11th to 17th of December, 2024, and the participants were physically present in Ibadan at K-AiR. This allowed for a rich experience, group activities, and a unique opportunity to interact with the Babajide-Adeniyi Jones and fellow photographers.
The participants gained an understanding of Ibadan’s nuanced and complex character through photography as a lens to look at the city’s history, culture, and resilience in the face of change and globalization.