Returning to Lagos, Nigeria, after more than two decades is an exhilarating experience.
The heat, colors, smells, and sounds from the streets hit you like a tidal wave of energy. From the dusty street slums to the shiny new corporate hotels placed side by side, it is a city that embodies both underdevelopment and development. The 20th century meets the 21st century, living cheek by jowl—albeit behind reinforced private security gates that are ubiquitous for the wealthier half of the city.
In short, Lagos is a mosaic of contradictions, with extreme wealth coexisting alongside abject poverty.
However, despite its many challenges, the innovative spirit of Nigerians shines through in their creative arts, which are making an impact and attracting worldwide attention. Within this mix of positivity is a burgeoning arts sector—highlighted at the hugely influential ART X LAGOS arts fair—which is one of the reasons I’m visiting Nigeria with my artist daughter Sola. Having been away from the country for many years, I’m thrilled to soak in its many changes.
ART X LAGOS was created in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, a Nigerian entrepreneur and art collector, to showcase and support the breadth of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. It draws local patrons and a host of international collectors, curators, and critics, featuring art galleries from Africa and beyond. The fair showcases both established and emerging artists. It also includes ART X Talks, featuring local and international speakers, as well as special projects to engage its diverse audiences and live art.
The event attracts a significant number of individuals and art lovers from the UK. Brixton, Lewisham, Cardiff, Birmingham, and even Northern Ireland were well represented. A surprise guest was the newly appointed British Foreign Secretary, Labour's David Lammy.
The private opening of ART X LAGOS took place on Friday, October 31. It was a spectacular event. The eighth edition of the fair drew attendees from over 150 different countries, showcasing a side of Africa seldom seen in the West.
Held at The Federal Palace in Lagos, it featured an extended virtual exhibition on Artsy. Against a backdrop of political and socio-economic difficulties experienced across Nigeria and the African continent, the fair prompted a rich exploration of where Africa and its diaspora aspire to go by exploring the theme of "Promised Lands"—places real and imagined that offer hope and visions of greater freedoms. The artistic pieces on display were fresh, innovative, and at times stunning.
Special mention goes to Vanessa Ederley's work in her Affinity collection. I particularly appreciated her ironic painting titled "How To Become an Artist."
Britain’s own Yinka Shonibare (of Trafalgar Square's "Ship in a Bottle" fame) illuminated this year's theme with his GAS Foundation (Guest Artist Space). The Library featured incredible contributions from his foundation—with a focus on first-edition copies of the groundbreaking 1960s art and literary journal Black Orpheus, along with other literature and rare print material.
Best of all was Marcellina Kojotora's environmentally inspired work; her brilliant use of discarded Ankara fabric cut into amazing pictures was a standout.
The remarkable creativity and emerging brilliance of African art were evident for all to see and admire. There was almost too much to take in—overwhelming would be an accurate description; even three days felt insufficient.
A pleasant surprise was running into old friends I had not expected to see. Lemi G, the artist behind the album covers for world music legend Fela Kuti, was there in full effect enjoying the artworks. Lemi had contributed in previous years but informed me that next year marks his 70th birthday, for which he is planning a huge retrospective on his life’s work—including new artworks never seen before.
Art X is a brilliant exhibition of talent. I’d love to see something like it come to the UK.
Speaking about ART X LAGOS, Founder & Director Tokini Peterside stated:
I created ART X LAGOS to contribute to positioning modern and contemporary African art at the forefront as Africa emerges in the wider contemporary art market. The world is waking up to the potential of Africa’s art market, and we have witnessed very exciting developments in recent years—of which ART X LAGOS is one.
ART X LAGOS serves as an African platform for African artists on the continent. We celebrate artists, art students, scholars, collectors, art professionals, and art lovers who play significant roles in growing African economies—now among the fastest-growing in the world. This invaluable contribution of the art sector to our continent’s development is what ART X LAGOS seeks to highlight and reinforce through projects such as our annual art fair.
Take note: Africa is coming…
By Kunle Olulode MBE,
V4CE Director
Notes
During the affluent years of the 1970s, Nigeria was the 8th largest oil-producing country in the world; its national currency, the Naira, was on par with the pound and more valuable than the US dollar. Unfortunately, economic recession in the 1980s—due to collapsing oil prices combined with widespread political corruption—sent its economy into a tailspin and delivered persistent hard times for its citizens and growing urban working class.
In 2024, Nigeria has become the largest economy among African states. The country boasts abundant mineral resources and serves as a vast market for consumer goods. A well-educated middle class underpins a population exceeding 230 million people—the majority under age 25. This demographic reality has attracted attention from world leaders and industrialists like Bill Gates and David Cameron; Nigeria is indeed an economic and social sleeping giant.
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