ART X LAGOS: THE PEOPLE, THE ART, THE TALKS
(Has previously been posted on other sites)
The maiden edition of ART X Lagos took place between the 4th and 6th of November at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. The 3-day event was designed by TP-Collective to widen Nigeria’s connection to the contemporary art scene across Africa and internationally. ART X Lagos was created to provide the best insight into what the visual art sector in Africa has to offer to a wider local and international audience, and encourage African and international patrons to visit Lagos.
ART X Lagos had a record breaking 5000 visitors spread over the three days and they got to see the best art works by over 65 African artists such as 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 Onyiye Chiamanze, Ade Adekola, Alimi Adewale, George Osodi, Victor Ehikamenor and Lakin Ogunbanwo to name a few.
Unlike other art fairs that have been held in the West African region, ART X Lagos was a fusion of arts, lifestyle and culture. The VIP opening on the first day witnessed a large turnout of A-listers on the social scene, art collectors, artists, gallery owners, film and music celebrities, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industries and media gurus. They got to experience first-hand the various works on display. The ART X Prize was also announced at the VIP opening, the winner was selected after a rigorous and diligent process that started in September.
Day 2 and 3 of the fair also witnessed a large turnout of guests who asides viewing the works on display, were part of the ART X Talks which were an integral component of the fair’s special programmes and provided a dynamic and vibrant discursive platform to highlight some of the topical issues concerning contemporary art and its evolving infrastructures across the continent. Composed of panel discussions, presentations and conversations, the distinguished list of guest speakers included artists, collectors, curators, gallerists, writers and entrepreneurs, who all engage the possibilities of art as a vehicle through which our contemporary experience can be articulated and understood.
Speakers included Nigerian collector and founder OYASAF Foundation, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, Chief Curator and Director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town, Mark Coetzee, Economist and Journalist Tayo Fagbunle, as well as Art Patrons and Collectors Ngozi Edozien, Femi Lijadu and Ifeoma Fafunwa amongst others. Other speakers on the various panels were Professors El Anatsui, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Mo Abudu, Reni Folawiyo and Bolanle Austin-Peters who brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the panel discussions.
One program that had guests at the exhibition really excited was ART X Live which had two components, ART X Live: Live Artists curated by A Whitespace Creative Agency, where a collective of emerging artists drew and painted live at the venue! These artists included: Uthman Wahaab, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, Yadichinma
Ukoha-Kalu, Osi Itegboje, Stacey Okparavero, Olatunde Alara, Kadara Enyeasi and Karo Akpokiere.
There was also ART X Live: Intersections, a live art and sound performance installation that fused emerging visual artists and 4 of the fastest rising music artistes, produced by Ikon. Intersections, co-curated by Fatherland Media and A Whitespace Creative Agency, and had stars such as Vector, Simi, Falana and Poe performing alongside visual artists Yadichinma, Stacey Ravvero, Tunde Alara and Dricky.
Speaking at the closing, Tokini Peterside, ART X Lagos Founder and Director TP-Collective said ‘I am encouraged by the turnout of visitors to this maiden edition of ART X Lagos. The feedback from guests has also been amazing and it solidifies our commitment to begin planning next year’s event. 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’
ART X Lagos enjoyed supportive sponsorship from Access Bank, 7UP Bottling Company, ANAP Jets Moёt Hennessy, and The Wheatbaker Hotel. There were also a number of partners and media partners’ includingThe Guardian, Africa Magic, Smooth FM, EbonyLife TV, Trace TV, Beat FM, Accelerate TV, Bella Naija, Ventures Africa, Pulse, YNaija and many more.
