Quizzes

Stacks

Shows

Podcasts

Newsletters

Naira Life

Love Life

Hustleprint

Love Currency

Sunken Ships

What She Said

My Bro

So You Don’t Have To

Interview With…

Zikoko Memes

Jollof Road

Cholera Outbreak Update

Follow our socials

  • L-R: Stephen Kauma (Director, Afreximbank); Roosevelt Ogbonna (Managing Director, Access Bank Plc); Dudun Peterside (Managing Partner, Narita); Tokini Peterside-Schwebig (Founder, ART X); Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Atedo Peterside (Chairman, Anap Jets); Bolaji Balogun (CEO, Chapel Hill Denham); and Olumide Oyetan (Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers)

    Lagos, Nigeria – ART X Lagos, West Africa’s leading international art fair, wrapped up its ninth edition on a high note, inviting audiences on a profound journey of self-reflection, cultural exploration, and historical discovery. From October 31, with a Collector Preview that set the tone, to a weekend of impactful programming and installations, the fair gathered art lovers, collectors, and creatives from across the globe. Thousands of attendees were immersed in ART X Lagos’ special projects, installations, and interactive spaces that encouraged them to imagine and chart their paths toward their personal “Promised Lands.”

    The exhibitors at ART X Lagos this year showcased an impressive array of works by leading contemporary artists from Africa and the diaspora, providing visitors with a profound and multifaceted view of African artistic expression. The galleries presented were: Afriart Gallery (Uganda), Alexis Gallery (Nigeria), Galerie MAM (Cameroon), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Affinity Art Gallery (Nigeria), Kanbi Projects (UK), kó (Nigeria), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), ODA Art Gallery (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK).

    This year’s fair also paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Herbert Wigwe, a longtime sponsor and patron of the fair, leaving guests deeply moved and appreciative of his contributions to Nigeria’s art and cultural landscape.

    Speaking on the fair’s success, ART X Lagos founder Tokini Peterside-Schwebig said, “This year’s ART X Lagos was a collective journey of discovery, memory, and future-making. By engaging with our history, sharing our dreams, and bringing together diverse voices, we aimed to inspire guests to see that the ‘Promised Lands’ is a destination we can all contribute to. We are grateful to everyone who joined us on this meaningful journey.”

    The fair’s historical special project, Mark-Makers: Unsung Pioneers, offered an inspiring tribute to “unknown heroes” of Nigerian history—trailblazers whose contributions shaped the nation yet remain relatively uncelebrated. Innovators like Professor Augustine Njoku-Obi, the creator of a cholera vaccine, and Mohammed Bah-Abba, whose invention preserved food in rural communities, were honored as visionaries who uplifted their communities through science and ingenuity. The exhibit also celebrated Jelani Aliyu, a pioneering electric vehicle designer; Afi Ekong-Attah, Nigeria’s first female gallery owner; pioneering photographer Jonathan Adagogo Green; freedom fighter August Agboola Browne; renowned poet Nana Asma’u; and musician Oladunni Oduguwa. Together, these extraordinary individuals redefined what was possible for Africans in fields as diverse as science, art, and social activism. This exhibit resonated with attendees, sparking curiosity and encouraging visitors to explore their cultural heritage.

    The Crossroads special project encouraged guests to envision their “Promised Lands” through a reflective installation where attendees answered thought-provoking questions. Renowned poet Wana Udobang, known as Wana Wana, transformed these reflections into a live spoken-word piece, turning guests’ dreams and aspirations into powerful poetry, making their words resonate throughout the fair.

    ART X Lagos’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of art lovers and creatives was evident, as hundreds of school children participated in the fair’s school’s hour, engaging with the Imagination Station and exploring art in interactive ways. This year’s ART X Live! blended generational talent, bringing together the iconic fuji veteran, Adewale Ayuba and emerging new school musical artists Santi, S-smart, and DJ Aniko. Under the creative direction of Odunsi The Engine and visual storytelling by Niyi Okeowo, ART X Live! showcased an electrifying collaboration that bridged Nigeria’s rich cultural past with its vibrant future.

    Collectors and art lovers marveled at The Library, which boasted of 200 iconic African literature and art publications, including Black Orpheus, a magazine instrumental in the 1950s-60s Anglophone African literary movement. Attendees also explored vinyl records from Fuji music legends and offered a journey back in time, blending art and sound.

    This edition of ART X Lagos also celebrated remarkable artistic achievements with the awarding of the Access ART X Prize Impact Award to Etinosa Yvonne, a Nigerian visual artist and a past winner of the Access Bank ART X Prize,  whose work profoundly explores themes of resilience and identity. Yvonne received the award at the VIP Preview, an honor that acknowledges her exceptional impact and contributions to the art landscape.

    Adding to the fair’s captivating lineup, ART X Cinema screened the acclaimed film, Mother of George by Andrew Dosunmu and 12 other selected works. Dosunmu’s cinematic work resonated deeply with viewers, adding a thought-provoking visual narrative to ART X Lagos’ diverse program.

    Further enriching the fair, ART X Lagos continued its tradition of fostering knowledge and mentorship through The Development Forum and ART X Talks. These platforms brought together respected art veterans, curators, and thought leaders who shared valuable insights with emerging talents. ART X Lagos is not only committed to the growth of its immediate community but also serves as a bridge for artists across the continent, creating pathways for African art to reach new audiences and territories through its program Art Across Borders. Through this, ART X Lagos is breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of creatives to envision African art as a vibrant, interconnected landscape.

    The ninth edition of ART X Lagos successfully captivated audiences with a platform that not only showcased extraordinary art but also invited guests to dream and imagine their paths forward.

    ART X Lagos will return for its tenth edition in 2025 from 6th to 9th November 2025.

    ART X Lagos 2024 Sponsors

    Gold Sponsor: Access Corporation

    Silver Sponsor: Afreximbank

    Bronze Sponsors: Chapel Hill Denham, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Anap Jets, NBA Africa, emPLE

    ART X Live! Co-Sponsor: EnjoyCorp

    Schools’ Programme Sponsor: ZTL Liquids Transfer Ltd

    Category Sponsor: Bombay Sapphire

    Galleries at ART X Lagos 2024

    Afriart Gallery (Uganda), Alexis Gallery (Nigeria), Galerie MAM (Cameroon), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Affinity Art Gallery (Nigeria), Kanbi Projects (UK), kó (Nigeria), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), ODA Art Gallery (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK).

    About ART X Lagos

    ART X Lagos was created to showcase and support the breadth of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, the fair has since become a cornerstone of the African art sector. The first of its kind in West Africa, ART X Lagos goes beyond the traditional bounds of an art fair, and has become renowned for its ambitious programme that includes ART X Cinema, ART X Talks, ART X Live! and specially curated projects which have featured an array of emerging and established artists from over 70 countries across the continent and diaspora.

    For more information, visit artxlagos.com, Instagram @artxlagos.

    Press Contacts

    Oyinda Bankole

    Press Team, ART X Lagos
    press@artxlagos.com

  • Kaper Jesse Legacy, 2024, by Fred Ebami. Presented by Galerie Mam

    Lagos, Nigeria – ART X Lagos, West Africa’s leading international art fair, returns for its highly anticipated ninth edition from October 31st to November 3rd, 2024. Since its inception in 2016, ART X Lagos has showcased artists from over 70 countries, firmly establishing itself as the leading hub for African and diaspora creatives. This year, the fair will continue its commitment to highlighting African art, culture, and community, while fostering critical conversations on the social and political transformations shaping the continent. 

    Against a backdrop of challenges being experienced in Nigeria, with political and socio-economic difficulties across Africa and further afield, this year’s theme will explore, “Promised Lands,”  – places, real and imagined, that offer hope and a vision of greater freedoms—prompting a critical examination of where Africa and its diaspora aspire to go.

    Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, founder of ART X Lagos, shared:

    “We are thrilled to present an exceptional lineup of artists, exhibitions and galleries for our ninth edition, representing the diverse and dynamic voices emerging from all corners of Africa and the diaspora. ‘Promised Lands’ is a theme that resonates deeply with our collective journey—reflecting on where we are and envisioning where we aspire to be. It was crucial for us to create a platform that not only anchors the African art movement but also drives meaningful conversations about the social, political, and cultural landscapes of our continent. We remain dedicated to creating an absolutely cannot-miss experience for our artists, cultural partners, gallerists, collectors and visitors from Africa, and around the world.”

    With a diverse selection of curated galleries, thought-provoking exhibitions and special projects, dynamic live performances, and insightful discussions, the fair continues to push boundaries and foster cross-cultural dialogue. Below are some of the key highlights:

    ART X Lagos 2024 will feature 10 specially curated galleries from cities like Lagos, Harare, Accra, and London, showcasing a diverse mix of emerging and established artists from across Africa and its diaspora. The galleries will present a cross-section of artists making unique contributions to the visual arts ecosystem, reinforcing ART X Lagos’ mission to promote artistic excellence and cross-cultural collaboration. The 2024 galleries include: Afriart Gallery (Uganda), Alexis Gallery (Nigeria), Galerie MAM (Cameroon), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Affinity Art Gallery (Nigeria), Kanbi Projects (UK), kó (Nigeria), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), ODA Art Gallery (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK).

    The Speakers’ Corner: The Crossroads, is a participatory experience that seeks to invite attendees to reflect on Nigeria’s current challenges, creating a collective tapestry of shared voices and hopes. Curated by Papa Omotayo in collaboration with Haily Grenet, Fikayo Adebajo, and Dike Anthony, this space invites meaningful engagement on pivotal societal questions. The Mark-Makers: Unsung Pioneers exhibition honours extraordinary individuals who redefined what was possible for Africans in science, art, and social activism. Through their legacy, we are reminded that greatness stems from courage, collaboration, and the audacity to challenge the status quo. This exhibition was curated by Missla Libsekal, Fikayo Adebajo and Haily Grenet, with historical consultancy by Ed Keazor celebrating figures like Jonathan Adagogo Green, August Agboola Browne and Nana Asma’u.

    In Restless Cities: From Lagos to the World, Andrew Dosunmu, the celebrated Lagos-born photographer and filmmaker, presents his first-ever solo exhibition in Africa. This exhibition invites viewers to explore Nigerian cities as living, breathing hubs, mirroring the connections shared in everyday life. Other major exhibitions include Marcellina Akpojotor’s textile art addressing sustainability and Williams Chechet’s Afro-futurist “Breaking Barriers,” both contributing to the fair’s theme of creativity driving social change.

    Beyond the visual arts, ART X Live! curated by Lanre Masha and Ayo Lawson, will return with a live music experience connecting the dots between Nigeria’s past, present, and future sounds. Attendees can expect a concert experience where traditional Fuji music meets contemporary genres, and other multi-hyphenate African artists, with creative direction from visual artist Niyi Okeowo and producer Odunsi (The Engine).

    ART X Cinema will showcase a selection of 13 films by African and diaspora filmmakers, while the Access ART X Prize 2023 winners, Julius Agbaje (Nigeria Award) and Shabu Mwangi (Africa/Diaspora Award), will host solo exhibitions around the concept of “What May Come”, alongside a retrospective on previous winners of the Prize, curated by Jumoke Sanwo. 

    In collaboration with Afreximbank, ART X Lagos will also present Art Across Borders: Where to Go, an exhibition featuring six mid-career African and Caribbean artists who explore ancestral connections and future possibilities, aligning with the fair’s theme of “Promised Lands.” Curated by Jumoke Sanwo, this exhibition delves into the African imagination. ART X Talks will further enrich the fair with engaging discussions, including a conversation with filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu, a collaboration with Native on the influence of African music genres on contemporary pop culture, and insights from Ed Keazor and Missla Libsekal, curators of the Mark-Makers exhibition.

    Educational and engaging programs such as the Schools’ Programme and the Development Forum will nurture the next generation of African talent, ensuring that ART X Lagos continues to serve as a platform for creativity, cultural dialogue, and community building across Africa and the diaspora.

    ART X Lagos has rapidly become a fixture for African art, culture, and creativity. As a key moment on the continent, the fair will continue to redefine held views of the African narrative while also building bridges between local and international audiences and their communities.

    Galleries at ART X Lagos 2024

    Afriart Gallery (Uganda), Alexis Gallery (Nigeria), Galerie MAM (Cameroon), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Affinity Art Gallery (Nigeria), Kanbi Projects (UK), kó (Nigeria), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), ODA Art Gallery (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK).

    About ART X Lagos

    ART X Lagos was created to showcase and support the breadth of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, the fair has since become a cornerstone of the African art sector. The first of its kind in West Africa, ART X Lagos goes beyond the traditional bounds of an art fair, and has become renowned for its ambitious programme that includes ART X Cinema, ART X Talks, ART X Live! and specially curated projects which have featured an array of emerging and established artists from over 70 countries across the continent and diaspora. 

    ART X Lagos 2024 will take place from October 31st – November 3rd at The Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos. The private Collectors’ Preview will be held on Thursday, October 31st, followed by the VIP Preview on Friday, November 1st. The fair will be open to the public on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, while virtual audiences can also engage with the fair on Artsy.net. 

    For more information, visit artxlagos.com, Instagram @artxlagos.

    Press Contacts

    Oyinda Bankole

    Press Team, ART X Lagos
    press@artxlagos.com