Art X Lagos to forge a new creative scene in city

ART X Lagos, a new art fair designed to widen Nigeria’s connection to the contemporary art scene across Africa and internationally will help create a new wave awareness for the Lagos creative scene, TP-Collective, the organisers of the fair said.

“‘I am encouraged by the interest and support we have received so far from all partners. This affirms our decision to go ahead with the project. As Nigeria and its neighbouring countries seek to diversify and expand their economies, our investment in the creative industry via ART X Lagos, offers a vital platform for growth and increased visibility, to artists and galleries’,” said Tokini Peterside, ART X Lagos Founder and Director TP-Collective at the official press launch of the art fair.

ART X Lagos has been created to consolidate the role of the visual arts as an important component of the creative industry and contribute to the increased visibility of contemporary artists from Africa, creating a vibrant art market and positioning Lagos as an emergent cultural capital on the continent.

The platform aims to encourage African and international patrons to visit Lagos, thus contributing to the rise of African artists. ART X Lagos aims to magnify patronage of artists across the continent and to inspire the next generation of African artists.

Visitors to ART X Lagos will from Friday 4th November to Sunday 6th November 2016, experience the best contemporary art by over 65 African artists at The Civic Centre in Victoria Island. Featured artists include South Africa’s William Kentridge, Zimbabwe’s Kudzanai Chiurai, Ghana’s Jeremiah Quarshie, Cameroon’s Barthelemy Togou, Mali’s Amadou Sanogo and Nigeria’s Sokari Douglas Camp, rubi onyiyechi amanze, Alimi Adewale, George Osodi, Victor Ehikamenor and Lakin Ogunbanwo to name a few.

“We will also be welcoming a line-up of notable speakers at the fair such as Professor El Anatsui, Professor Bruce Onabrakpeya and Mark Coetzee, Director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town,” said the organisers in a statement.

In addition to this, there will be live art and performance installations at the art fair, featuring some of Nigeria’s brightest emerging art stars drawing and painting live at the venue, as well as a special collaboration project with the music industry featuring musical artistes such as Vector, Simi, Ikon and Poe.

In September 2016, ART X Lagos in partnership with Access Bank, launched The #ArtXPrize , a competition for up and coming young artists that has since received close to 200 entries. The Top 4 finalists will be announced on Monday October 24th while the prize-winner will be announced at the Opening Preview on Friday November 4th 2016.

ART X Lagos enjoys supportive sponsors such as Access Bank, 7UP Bottling Company and ANAP Jets. We also have a number of partners and media partners including Smooth FM, The Guardian, Trace TV, Beat FM, Africa Magic, Accelerate TV, Veuve Clicquot, Hennessy, The Wheatbaker Hotel, A White Space Creative Agency, Fatherland Media, Miliki, Bella Naija, Ventures Africa, Pulse, YNaija and many more.