60 artists, 13 international art galleries: Lagos art fair is open

ayodele johnson

November 4, 2017 1:50 PM

New activities such as a video room detailing the colonisation of Africa and photographs exploring gender fluidity are available this year.

The second edition of the Art X Lagos is officially open! With a VIP screening that saw the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, pull a surprise visit on us, it can be said that West Africa’s premier international art fair is going to be a hit.

Friday, November 3, 2017, saw a total of 60 artists and 13 leading international art galleries display their works at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The three-day affair sees a few of the artists following in the footsteps of late Fela Kuti with works focusing on social issues in West Africa. Over 10 curated works interrogates how artists view themselves and respond to contemporary issues.

From a video room detailing the colonisation of Africa and photographs exploring gender fluidity to a colouring ‘danfo’ bus, new activities and concepts have been added to this year’s fair which will take the entire experience to another level.

The number of visitors at the opening are testament to the world’s growing interest in African art and its increasing number of collectors on the continent.

ALSO READ: 5 lit things to expect from the Lagos art fair

Art X Lagos follows a similar format that has made art fairs around the world successful, live performances, a program of speakers, master classes and dozens of artists.

In addition, the fair features emerging independent artists alongside internationally recognised names like British-Nigerian, Yinka Shonibare and South Africa’s Zanele Muholi, known for her groundbreaking photographs as social commentary.

Art X Lagos’ success will be introducing the general public to an exclusionary art world not usually found in this part of the world.

ayodele johnson