From June 17-20, Spanish artist Yago Sanchez held Lagos and Nigeria spellbound with his crystal mosaic works, in an immersive exhibition titled The Precision of Light in the Dark.
The first of its kind in Nigeria, the exhibition held at Integra Art Space in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Taking viewers into a deeply immersive experience that challenges perception, at close range, each artwork breaks into hundreds of crystal fragments—vitreous tesserae, glass, and marble—meticulously assembled.
From a distance, the sparkly fragments revealed faces, figures and forms, exploring the relationship between detail and perspective, clarity and understanding.
Employing a fusion of techniques, including traditional Roman mosaic, the trencadis method popularised by Gaudí and Granada’s distinctive stone craft, the artworks on display looked both timeless and contemporary at the same time.
As light interacts with the surfaces throughout the day, the pieces shift in appearance, offering a dynamic visual experience. For Lagos audiences, this marks a rare introduction to a unique artistic language not commonly seen in the city’s gallery circuit.
Expressing excitement at the warm and eager reception for the first time, Sanchez traced the origins of his art from using mosaics as a living art form before evolving into his present form.
With 60 artworks on display over the four days, he disclosed that many art lovers commissioned portraits, which he said made up a good part of the exhibition.
“My style of art is new here in Nigeria, and I am happy to share it with the art community and lovers of art. The theme is well reflected in all the works. The glittering stones form an intricate pattern on pitch-black background, bringing light, glamour and beauty to the darkness.”
Exhibition curator, Lola Bashua, described the process as stimulating, exciting and challenging but with fruitful and rewarding results. “I had a clear vision of how I wanted to present Yago’s art because it is clearly bold and unique, and that is how I want viewers to experience it. The works speak for themselves, and I am happy everything came together and represented the vision we imagined for it,” she said.
Representing Uno Telos Group, a Lagos-based technology and multi-systems integration company operating across nine African markets since 2004 and the exhibition’s sponsor, Obidinma Egbokwu, recounted how Sanchez’s art was brought to life in Lagos.
“The CEO of Uno Telos Group, Jude Egbokwu, has collected many pieces from Sanchez over the years and thought it important for Nigerians to also enjoy and experience his unique art. Yago’s art is not the usual kind we see around us. It involves using crystals to form beautiful and intricate forms, which is not often seen. It also teaches us that art has no boundaries because anyone from anywhere in the world can enjoy art.“
Her dream, she said, is to see cross-cultural collaborations of art in all forms for people to enjoy. “This exhibition was well thought of; from the lighting to the artworks on display, the band and everything involved in it. It is clear this exhibition was put together with precision and excellence, and this is the kind of excellence I want to see in all Nigerian exhibitions in the future.”
The exhibition also underscored a deeper connection between Spanish craft heritage and the evolving scale of contemporary African art, revealing shared histories and creative intersections.
For Sanchez, Nigeria has found a home in his heart, and he vowed to come back, sooner rather than later.
