5 major art & photo festivals of the year

From the well put together ART X Lagos to Lagos Photo Festival, this year was bursting with creative potential.

Below are our top art events of the year.

1. Art X

The 2017 edition of Art X Lagos was superb. With a surprise visit from His Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Emir of Kano, Honourable Minister for Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, the fair opened to rave reviews.

Art X Lagos 2017 was a great representation of Nigeria and Africa’s growing credentials on the global contemporary art scene.

The main exhibition floor was home to 14 exhibiting galleries and 65 artists on show including the Nigerian-born, British-based, globally renowned artist and sculptor Yinka Shonibare MBE; Zanele Muholi (South Africa); Jeremiah Quarshie (Ghana) amongst others.

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In addition, four independent artists, Polly Alakija, Rom Isichei, Lakin Ogunbanwo and Oluseye presented a selection of their works.

In addition to the exhibitions, the programme of events included a series of talks by eminent artists, including Lemi Ghariokwu, the mastermind behind Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti’s album artwork; Ed Keazor; Stacy Hardy from Chimurenga South Africa; and Olu Amoda.

2. Ake Festival

West Africa’s international art and book festival, Ake Festival kicked off in the later part of the year in Abeokuta.

This year's theme "This F-Word" had conversations focused largely on creative women doing amazing things both on the African continent and beyond.

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From Nnedi Okorafor's mentorship and writing session to talks on Afrofuturism and science fiction, the fair was everything feminism.

3. Lagos International Poetry Festival

This year’s theme, ‘Bridges from Walls’ explored the arts’ capacity to unite humanity. This was what was promised and what was certainly delivered at the Lagos International Poetry Festival.

In what will forever be ingrained in our memories, South African sensation Koleka Putuma mesmerized the audience with a powerful rendition of apartheid, racism and slavery while writer, author and performance poet, Dike Chukwumerije, delivered a powerful poem on Nigeria and tribalism.

4. Lagos Photo Festival

Launched in 2010, Lagos Photo Festival is the first international art festival of photography in Nigeria.

Running from November 24 to December 15, 2017, the theme throughout the festival is Regimes Of Truth, explaining ‘pertinent ideas of constructed realities and the relevance of legitimacy in contemporary art.’

The month-long festival includes exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions and lots more.

5. Lagos Book and Art Festival

Focusing on the theme: ERUPTIONS: Global FRACTURES & Collective Humanism, the festival which held on November 6-12 at the Freedom Park, Lagos, was dedicated to the poet laureate, Professor Niyi Osundare.