Green Architecture Project: Meet the 2021-2022 Fellows!

The Soul of Nations Foundation’s Indigenous International: Green Architecture Project selected 24 Artist Fellows from the United States, Nigeria, and Bolivia to connect through a eight-month virtual exchange that will result in four collaborative online exhibitions in 2021 and 2022.

The Soul of Nations Foundation’s Indigenous International: Green Architecture Project invited 12 Artist Fellows from the United States and Bolivia to connect through a eight-month virtual exchange that will result in two collaborative online exhibitions. This program is sponsored in-part by the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia and the U.S. Department of State.

Fellows: Tytianna Harris, Laura Hinman, Fox Maxy, Kymon Paula, Wara Vargas Lara, Fatima Choque, Wara Monica Apaza Machaca, Ever Mamani Soldado, Salvador Saavedra, Alba Luz Apaza Pinto, Luz Ángela Condoro Choque, Fabricio Amílcar Villa Equiza & Noemy Quispe 

(Untitled, Tytianna Harris, 2019.)

Diego Suarez is head of Experimentation for the United Nations Development Program’s Accelerator Labs.  Diego will be serving as a programmatic partner for the Green Architecture Project in Bolivia by helping to bolster programmatic outreach, helping SONF to form new local community and institutional partnerships, helping to provide internal mentorship for the cohort of Artist Fellows, and also by leading workshops throughout the virtual exchange period.

Layo Bright is a Nigerian contemporary artist who lives and works in New York. Layo works predominantly in the 3D realm, video, performance and sound. Recently. she has been interested in exploring migrant experiences, and the search for “greener pastures” to Europe and America. Bright has shown at The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lagos; Sotheby’s Institute of Art, NY; the Skybridge Art Space, NY; and Sleep Center, NY amongst others. She is a Recipient of the Beyoncé Formation (Runner Up) Scholarship. Bright received an LL. B (Hons) from Babcock University, and MFA at Parsons the New School for Design. Layo will be leading workshops for the Green Architecture Project in Nigeria and will also provide design expertise. 

Keyna Eleison is a curator, writer, researcher, heiress griot and shaman, narrator, singer and ancient chronicler. She is a regular contributor to Contemporary&, Professor of the Free Learning Program at Parque Lage School of Visual Arts, Rio de Janeiro and co-Artistic Director of the Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro with Pablo Lafuente. She lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Keyna Eleison will be serving as an artist mentor for the Green Architecture Project in Bolivia. 

(Untitled, Louise Jaiyeola Oduyoye, 2020.)

The Soul of Nations Foundation (SONF) is a 501(c)3 for-purpose organization that aims to uplift Indigenous peoples through various forms of media, innovative strategy, and youth-led initiatives.The Soul of Nations Foundation team is excited to further expand the art engagement facet of our mission through the Indigenous International: Green Architecture Project (GAP). 

The Soul of Nations Foundation exists to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue and achieve their goals. We stress the importance of education and provide BIPOC youth with a platform for free expression. Our programs help to foster the next generation of community leaders in the fields of art, business, and public affairs. The Soul of Nations Foundation envisions a world where Indigenous peoples are respected as contemporary societies and are treated equally. Over the past four years, the Soul of Nations Foundation has partnered with the U.S. Department of State, the Smithsonian Institution, and the United States Senate to facilitate programs for Indigenous and Black artists.

Indigenous International is the umbrella program created through Soul of Nations’ Indigenous Arts Expansion Initiative which is aimed to help connect American and African youth with boundary-pushing cultural and artistic experiences around the world.