West Africa’s premier international art fair is here with a new hybrid model.
Coming back between 6-15th November, with a digital and physical offering that demonstrates Art x Lagos’ commitment to artistic excellence from Africa and the diaspora. Despite facing logistical and commercial challenges caused by coronavirus, the fair is back stronger than ever.
The works will be presented via the soon to be relaunched ARTXLAGOS.COM and Artsy and will stage a public art exhibition titled Garden of Tomorrow in Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Lagos. It will be a beautiful space for reflection and community, a chance to give back to the people of Lagos and Nigeria during such a tragic and difficult year.
Speaking on the recent landscape of the culture sector, Tokini Peterside, founder of ART X Collective said, “This year has tested the very essence of our humanity, and has brought upheaval to us all, with unique challenges to artists and entrepreneurs in the culture sector. As the world recovers from the ongoing pandemic, we have created a new hybrid format for the fair in anticipation of the direction in which the world now appears to be going.
The fifth edition of ART x Lagos will be the culmination of creativity, grit and purpose, in spite of adversity. Our previous editions have shown ourselves, and the world, what is possible when we come together united by our passion and enthusiasm for our continent’s creators. Our belief remains, that the future is bright for Africa and its creative talent, and we are thankful to our community for joining us to make this a reality.”
The programme includes many more events, from series of talks to live music. The ‘Garden of Tomorrow’ Public Art Exhibition is part of a series of curated projects which function to highlight today’s most experimental mediums and also to celebrate a whole host of multidisciplinary artists working in them. Over 30 different artists will be featured, from emerging artists to more established artists and the aim of the exhibition is to point towards potential futures in contemporary African art and the use of creative expression for progress in society.
There will also be ART x Talks, which is on the fair’s opening weekend, gathering key figures within the African art scene to discuss important and timely topics. These topics include the influence of the traditional Nigerian art practice uli.
ART x Live! “Like No One’s Watching” is an evening of experimental visual art and music curated by Faridah Folawiyo and Lanre Masha, in which 4 artists will collaborate with complete freedom.
Finally, ART x Review The Wrap Up is an exciting mentoring opportunity for young talent, in which aspiring artists will have the opportunity to speak to established artists and ask direct questions, facilitated in a web session.
Art x Lagos is an incredibly exciting initiative, one that is very much needed at a time like this, and is championing innovation and ultimate creativity. Visit the soon to be relaunched website here.
