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ART X Lagos: West Africa's Art Powerhouse Returns

Each year, ART X Lagos has increasingly cemented its place in the global art calendar. From October 31 to November 3, 2024, the fair will host its ninth edition at The Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos, marking another momentous occasion for African art.


Since its inception in 2016, ART X Lagos has served as a pioneering space for the continent’s artistic expression and cultural exchange, gathering artists, curators, and collectors from over 70 countries. With this reach, the fair doesn’t merely exhibit art but shapes how African art is perceived across continents.

Poster for Art X Lagos Credit:ArtXLagos
Poster for Art X Lagos Credit:ArtXLagos

The event is anticipated not only by artists and curators but by a wider audience—individuals eager to engage with contemporary African narratives in a dynamic, multi-layered format. This year’s theme, "Promised Lands," is particularly timely, reflecting both a yearning and a vision for greater freedoms and aspirations across Africa and its diaspora. Through this lens, ART X Lagos seeks to explore ideas of “promised lands” as both real and imagined, urging attendees to contemplate Africa’s trajectory amid global political and social transformations.


A Platform with Purpose


ART X Lagos founder, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, emphasizes the fair’s foundational mission: "We remain dedicated to creating an experience that anchors the African art movement while sparking crucial discussions on our continent’s socio-political landscape," she says. This year’s theme resonates deeply with the collective consciousness, inviting artists and audiences alike to reflect on where Africa is and where it hopes to go.


AfriArt Gallery Uganda will be showing at ArtXLagos Credit: ArtXLagos
AfriArt Gallery Uganda will be showing at ArtXLagos Credit: ArtXLagos

The fair’s curatorial choices underscore ART X Lagos's commitment to promoting cross-cultural dialogue. A curated selection of ten leading galleries from cities like Lagos, Harare, Accra, and London will showcase works by artists spanning emerging talent to established voices. This international lineup includes galleries such as Afriart Gallery (Uganda), Galerie MAM (Cameroon), and Tiwani Contemporary (UK), each reinforcing ART X Lagos’s mission to bridge African art with a global perspective.


Thought-Provoking Experiences


Among the unique installations this year is The Speakers’ Corner: The Crossroads, curated by Papa Omotayo alongside Haily Grenet, Fikayo Adebajo, and Dike Anthony. This space invites fair-goers to engage with pressing societal challenges in Nigeria, encouraging collective reflection on shared dreams and hurdles. Visitors contribute to a tapestry of dialogue that transcends personal viewpoints and connects with wider national issues, offering both introspection and solidarity.


Panelists at the development forum at ArtX Lagos Credit: ArtX Lagos
Panelists at the development forum at ArtX Lagos Credit: ArtX Lagos

Adding a historical dimension, the Mark-Makers: Unsung Pioneers exhibition honors influential African figures in science, art, and social activism, celebrating pioneers like Jonathan Adagogo Green and Nana Asma’u. Curated by Missla Libsekal, Fikayo Adebajo, and Haily Grenet, with Ed Keazor as historical consultant, this exhibit reminds audiences of the continent’s enduring legacy of resilience and innovation. By spotlighting figures whose contributions have often been sidelined, ART X Lagos seeks to instill a sense of continuity between Africa's storied past and its creative future.


For photography enthusiasts, Restless Cities: From Lagos to the World promises to be another key attraction. Andrew Dosunmu, a celebrated Lagos-born photographer, will present his first solo exhibition in Africa. His work provides a portrait of Lagos and other Nigerian cities as pulsating, complex environments where daily interactions shape collective identity. His images capture the resilience and dynamism of urban African life, connecting viewers with the unyielding spirit of Lagos.


Beyond Visual Art

Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, founder of ARTX Lagos welcomes guests to ArtX Lagos. Credit ArtXLagos
Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, founder of ARTX Lagos welcomes guests to ArtX Lagos. Credit ArtXLagos

The fair’s offerings extend into other forms of artistic expression. ART X Live!, curated by Lanre Masha and Ayo Lawson, will return with a musical showcase that explores Nigeria’s musical evolution from its roots in traditional sounds like Fuji to contemporary genres. Under the creative direction of visual artist Niyi Okeowo and music producer Odunsi (The Engine), the experience promises a sensory journey through Africa’s soundscapes.


Film enthusiasts will find a feast of talent at ART X Cinema, with screenings from 13 African and diaspora filmmakers. This lineup includes recent winners of the Access ART X Prize—Julius Agbaje from Nigeria and Shabu Mwangi from the diaspora—who will each host exhibitions on the theme "What May Come." These works, curated by Jumoke Sanwo, speculate on Africa’s potential futures, inviting audiences to imagine what lies beyond the current horizon.


The fair’s collaboration with Afreximbank has also produced Art Across Borders: Where to Go, an exhibition that delves into the ancestral ties and future possibilities between Africa and the Caribbean. This exhibition features six mid-career artists who explore identity and belonging, curated to align with the theme of "Promised Lands." As always, ART X Talks will augment these visual displays, featuring discussions with experts and influencers, from filmmakers to cultural commentators, amplifying the cross-disciplinary insights woven throughout the fair.


Guests at ArtXLagos. Credit: ArtXLagos
Guests at ArtXLagos. Credit: ArtXLagos

A Legacy in the Making

In addition to exhibitions, ART X Lagos has a strong educational agenda. The Schools’ Programme and Development Forum cater to emerging artists and young audiences, reinforcing ART X’s role as a catalyst for talent development. Through workshops and panel discussions, these initiatives invest in the next generation of African creatives, ensuring that the fair remains not only a hub of artistic expression but a force for creative education.

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ART X Lagos: West Africa's Art Powerhouse Returns

October 25, 2024

Obidike Okafor

3 min read

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