Art X is a haven for artistic minds and enthusiasts. Housed and nestled in a large sprawling hall, its den-like ambiance transports you to a world where time stands still and the outside world fades away; where day and night blend seamlessly – perfect for a profound and intimate connection with art.
Inside ART X’s expansive haven, curated structures and boards elegantly partition exhibitions, concept shows, and booths, creating intimate, room-like spaces. As you stroll along the walkway, the space unfolds before you like scenes in a television, offering glimpses into each “room” and the activities therein; meanwhile, the thoughtfully designed journey guides visitors seamlessly. This purposeful design encourages visitors to meander, uncover, and connect with the diverse artistic expressions on display. Whether discovering fresh talent or contemplating provocative installations, the thoughtful layout ensures a fluid, engaging experience that lingers in your mind.
As I navigated my way through the halls on the afternoon of the 3rd of November, whilst shifting effortlessly between swift strides, leisurely strolls, and casual saunters, amidst the enthusiastic art lovers – some more ardent than others – five exceptional craftspeople and visual storytellers captured my attention. Perhaps their vibrant color palette, clever spatial layout that blends architecture and design, warm staff demeanor, or my own wandering curiosity drew me in – or maybe it was a captivating combination of all. Curious about the stories behind the art and exhibition, I engaged the exhibitors and artist in conversation.
And here’s what I discovered…
Affinity Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria):
Affinity Art Gallery stands out as a contemporary hub championing emerging artists from Africa and the diaspora. Under the guidance of Manager, Ebunoluwa Adepoju, the gallery fosters a vibrant art program with a special focus on empowering female artists. “Affinity Art Gallery is deeply committed to supporting and providing a platform for female artists working across different mediums to explore their creative ideas and present projects without boundaries,” Ebunoluwa Adepoju explained.
At ART X, Affinity presented A Tender Embrace, featuring artists, Bono, Endeley, and Onosowobo. This thought-provoking exhibition delved into conceptions of vitality, self-articulation, and mental health. “In this presentation, the artists pondered conceptions of vitality and self-articulation, using curiosity to allow deep intimacies to emerge through emotional totality,” Ebunoluwa noted. The gallery’s fair presentations showcase artists from their gallery, nurturing their growth and visibility in private and public collections. “We expect that our artists will continue to exhibit and feature within private and public collections,” Ebunoluwa said.
To stay ahead in the changing art sales landscape, Affinity Gallery ensures seamless online and offline experiences. Partnering with Corporate Studios, they capture exhibitions, studio visits, and artist interviews, accompanied by online catalogues for international clients. “We ensure that our presentations are accessible both in-person and online. We work closely with our media partner, Corporate Studios, to capture our physical exhibitions and fairs, studio visits and artist interviews,” Ebunoluwa explained. While encouraging collectors to attend fairs and exhibitions, Affinity Gallery also offers digital exhibitions and online viewing rooms through Arternal. “We encourage collectors to come to fairs and exhibitions!” Ebunoluwa indicated. Collectors are also urged to follow the journeys of both galleries and artists, and forge genuine relationships towards the creation of beautiful collections.
Affinity Gallery’s exhibitions are carefully curated to showcase innovative artists. Transcendent Earth, curated by Rebecca Anne Proctor, features five West African artists: Adegboyega Adesina, Courage Hunke, Djibril Drame, Samuel Nnorom and Tosin Olusegun Kalejaye; and explores traditional aesthetics and contemporary themes. “Each artist plays with a distinct visual language that seeks to transcend present moments of chaotic change,” Ebunoluwa described. Ebunoluwa Adepoju and her team at Affinity Gallery are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for artists to thrive, promoting African art globally, and inspiring future generations.
Afriart Gallery (Kampala, Uganda):
Afriart Gallery has been a cornerstone of Eastern African art for over 22 years. Gloria Coutinho, curator and director, shares the gallery’s focus. The gallery represents artists from Eastern Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and the Northern part of Africa, Sudan. Their geographic location informs our curatorial approach, showcasing the region’s diverse talents. Afriart’s diverse collection encompasses various mediums, from sculptures to paintings, drawings, and installation art, reflecting the gallery’s commitment to innovation.
What sets Afriart apart is its consistent focus on building artists’ careers. Gloria proudly mentions success stories like Tanzanian artist Sungi Mlengeya, who began with Afriart’s residency program and now showcases her work globally. Afriart nurtures young talent, providing guidance, resources, and exposure to help them thrive in the international art scene.
At ART X, Afriart features two young Ethiopian artists: Fiker Solomon (29) and Kaleab Abate (26). Fiker’s woven, hand-stitched, and crocheted pieces explore finding beauty in life’s chaos. Her use of biodegradable materials like jute sacks, cotton yarn, and sisal creates organic shapes that resonate with viewers. Kaleab’s print works on canvas critique Ethiopian society, documenting Addis Ababa’s constant transition. His layered prints reflect the city’s evolving culture and identity. Afriart supports artists through internal programs like Artists Residency and Artist Incubation. Gloria explains that Afriart gives young emerging artists guidance, inspiration, and experimentation opportunities. Their residency program fosters collaboration, creativity, and growth. Participation in global exhibitions and art fairs, like ART X Lagos, expands their audience and networks.
Afriart’s digital presence includes online viewing rooms on Artsy, Gloria noted, “Even during the fair, people can access a viewing room on artsy.com; so if they’re not able to make it to the fair, they’ll be able to see Afriart’s booth and the works in the booth.” Besides the fair, ART X Lagos, Afriart has works displayed on Artsy. For Gloria, Afriart’s vision for ART X is clear: To give artists a platform and showcase their work to the world. ART X Lagos also bridges the gap between East and West African art scenes, fostering dialogue and exchange. Through Afriart’s participation, East African talent are spotlit, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation.
Gallery 1957 (Accra, Ghana & London, United Kingdom):
Gallery 1957, based in Accra, Ghana, and London, United Kingdom, stands out as a pioneering force in the African art scene. Under the direction of Angelica Modignani, the gallery has thrived and achieved its objectives. The gallery proudly carries the year of Ghana’s independence in its name, reflecting its deep connection to the country’s rich cultural heritage. “There are many galleries based in Africa,” Angelica Modignani noted. “The Gallery was founded in Accra and it carries proudly in its name, the year of Ghana’s independence. I also don’t know many other galleries that carry the name of the independence of a country, so that’s also definitely another element that’s unique to the gallery.”
Two standout initiatives make Gallery 1957 truly exceptional. The annual Cultural Week in Ghana, held during the last week of October, brings together the entire art community. This “Happens every year during the last week of October, actually right before ART X which is a beautiful bridge,” Angelica explained. “This year, a lot of the guests that flew in for our Cultural Week came to Art X as well, so it’s a beautiful collaboration that we now have with the fair.” Another unique and empowering element of the gallery is the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize, dedicated to female Ghanaian artists.
At Art X Lagos, Gallery 1957 showcased a diverse group of artists. “For the 9th Edition of ART X, and I’m proud to mention that the Gallery has been participating at ART X since the very start, every single edition,” Angelica shared. “We have brought a group presentation featuring 4 different artists: 3 of them are from Ghana – Nana Bruce, a figurative painter from Ghana; Larry Amponsah, a Ghanaian painted collage artist who is now based in London; Yaw Owusu, a Ghanaian artist that does beautiful sculptural works, now based in Brooklyn, New York,” and “Tegene Kunbi, an artist born in Ethiopia, who has been based in Berlin, and has been working and living in Berlin for a few years and does spectacular abstract visions.”
Tiwani Contemporary Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria):
Tiwani Contemporary, a leading gallery in the African art scene, showcases diverse contemporary artists from the continent and its diaspora. I spoke with Folusho Oguntoye, the Gallery Administrator. Regarding the gallery’s focus, Folusho explained that they don’t have a singular objective in terms of medium or style, but their artists’ work often reflects values like the human condition, societal issues, and internal poetics of what people go through. However, their primary focus is simple: “contemporary art from Africa and the diaspora.”
Four talented artists were showcased in the gallery’s booth. Samuel Nnorom, from Enugu, who utilizes recycled Ankara strips, dutch wax prints, to create intricate tapestries. His inspiration stems from societal structures and community. As Folusho noted, Samuel Nnorom “makes them (the strips) into tiny bubbles.” Joy Labinjo, a Nigerian-British figurative painter in her 30s, who is showing 3 works at the ART X Lagos. She draws inspiration from old family photos, historical images, and archives. She then recontextualizes these elements in contemporary settings, exploring community, communion, leisure, intimacy, and the intersection of past, present and future. Tiwani Contemporary has represented her for a couple of years.
Michael Igwe, a Lagos-born figurative painter now based in New York, showcased his abstract-inspired piece, “I Have Become Him.” His work delves into the inner self, human experience, and memory, portraying the eternal “self” existing apart from the body. Wura-Natasha Ogunji, a Nigerian-American artist, uses architectural tracing paper to explore her complex relationship with Lagos. Her work involves cutting, collaging, inking, threading, and sewing, reflecting her frustrations, love, and inner poetics. These artists’ unique perspectives demonstrate Tiwani Contemporary’s commitment to showcasing diverse and thought-provoking contemporary African art.
Williams Chechet (Nigeria):
I had the opportunity to speak with Williams Chechet about his captivating piece, Breaking Barriers, a collaborative project with the NBA and ART X Lagos. Breaking Barriers is more than just a title; it’s a reflection of Chechet’s creative journey. According to Williams, before he created the art piece, he didn’t have any ideas at the beginning. However, as the collaboration progressed, inspiration struck. His previous works and collaborations, along with the momentum and teamwork inherent in basketball, resonated deeply with him and motivated him.
“Breaking barriers is overcoming our daily obstacles,” Chechet explained, highlighting the emotional resonance behind his work. Chechet’s unique medium choices – cut-paper, lights, sequins, and more – are hallmarks of his distinctive style. “It’s my style,” he stated simply. Having transitioned from digital collage to mixed-media, Chechet’s work now incorporates varied textures and dimensions.
Notably, Breaking Barriers includes a community mural, inviting viewers to participate in the artistic process. This interactive element allows observers to grasp the evolution of Chechet’s vision, from conception to completion. Through Breaking Barriers, Chechet masterfully conveys the power of collaboration, perseverance, and creative expression.
