ArtX Lagos, West Africa’s premier international art fair, has announced the dates for its ninth edition, scheduled to take place from October 31st to November 3rd, 2024. The event commences with the Collectors’ Preview on October 31st, followed by the VIP Preview on November 1st, and Public Open Days on November 2nd and 3rd.
The diverse program will showcase a meticulously curated selection of galleries, Special Projects, ART X Talks, ART X Cinema, ART X Live! and more.
Founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, ART X Lagos serves as a dynamic platform dedicated to promoting contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Since its inception, the fair has emerged as a pivotal player in the West African art market.
ART X Lagos welcomes galleries and artists from over 40 countries and is renowned for its ambitious program, including ART X Talks—a lively panel discussion series—and ART X Live! a unique showcase that features collaborations between emerging artists and musicians from across Africa. The fair also features specially curated presentations and interactive projects.
ART X Lagos 2023, the eighth edition, brought together artists, curators, collectors, and enthusiasts for a four-day celebration (November 2-5, 2023), further highlighting a diverse range of mediums and materials. The event featured notable collaborations, such as Dennis Osadebe’s interactive experience merging basketball and painting with the NBA, and an installation that blends art and literature.
Dafe Oboro, recipient of the 2022 Art X Prize, used colour symbolism in his exhibition ‘Odafe’ to narrate his life story, including a self-portrait drenched in gold. His work creates an allegory around names, connecting people who share his name and fostering a strong sense of community.
The fair’s eighth edition, themed ‘The Dialogue,’ focused on fostering conversation and community in a challenging year, both in Nigeria and globally. ‘The Dialogue’ aimed to provoke reflection and discussion, challenging us to reimagine the present and future.
Ten carefully selected galleries contributed uniquely to the visual arts ecosystem across Africa and the diaspora, empowering exhibiting artists and gallerists as key voices in the global cultural dialogue.
This marks the first ART X Lagos fair following the departure of its esteemed patron, Herbert Wigwe. ART X Lagos paid tribute to Dr. Herbert O. Wigwe, the first patron to believe in the vision of the fair, noting his significant support through Access Bank and Access Holdings. His contributions have profoundly impacted the arts and culture community in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, elevating the African narrative.
ART X Lagos 2024 is also to likely feature works from the winners of the Access ART X Prize 2023, Julius Agbaje and Asmaa Jama.
