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ART RESIDENCY

NDAKO
HOME (LINGALA)

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Installed in a seaside villa, this residency is conceived as a space for creation, reflection, and restoration. We invite artists to temporarily step away from the pressures of production in order to reconnect with their practice, restore mental and physical balance, and develop new projects in dialogue with nature.

Ndako, in Lingala, means house or home. The choice of naming this residency Ndako comes from the desire to make this place somewhere creatives and artists truly feel at home, welcomed and embraced.The choice of Lingala is deeply connected to the roots of one of the hosts and curator Cheria Essieke-Bayer, and stems from a need to create a place where memories are shared, good times are lived and new connections are made.

Located in the village of Gustav Friis, this house has been their summerhouse for years, a place full of memories shared with family and friends, now opening its doors to creatives and artists. A place where peace meets creativity, and where art becomes a medium for reflection, connection, renewal and the healing of silent wounds.

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The residency is both locally rooted and internationally connected. It aims to bring together artists from African cultural contexts, artists from Denmark, and international artists from diverse backgrounds. The goal is to foster meaningful cultural exchange by creating a space for dialogue between different artistic practices, life experiences, and worldviews.

Artists in residence will be invited to engage with the cultural ecosystem of Kolding and its surrounding region, particularly with local artists, workshops, and cultural institutions. This includes access to the regional contemporary art scene, as well as opportunities for collaboration, project presentations, or the initiation of public activities at the local and regional levels.

As part of the Ubuntu Festival, a cultural festival supported by the Municipality of Kolding, artists will also have the opportunity to present their work, contribute to a lasting artistic presence, or develop projects that directly involve the local community. At the heart of this residency in Bjert is the desire to build lasting cultural connections.

It is intended as a space conducive to reflection, experimentation, and the exploration of themes such as identity, environment, movement, and belonging, while strengthening ties between local and international creative communities. The residency reflects New Afro’s commitment not only to creating visibility, but also to building lasting structures that support artistic development and intercultural dialogue.

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Residents 2026

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Eveline Soum

Benjamin Abana

Benga Mavinga

Jean Baptiste Joire

MENTORS

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Chéria Essieke

Alicia Moon Winding

Elsy Tobin

Nuits Balnéaires

Tobi Onabolu

Steven Coffi Adjai

PARTNERS

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