In collaboration with Soto Gallery, Ecobank Nigeria presents the +234Art Fair, an international exhibition aimed at promoting African art and its artists.
Commencing on Friday, March 22, 2024, the 10-day art fair will grace Lagos. Its mission? To nurture Nigeria’s burgeoning art industry by providing a platform that champions emerging artists and cultivates heightened interest in art acquisition. This, in turn, fuels the growth and prosperity of the local art sector while bolstering its international acclaim.
The exhibition’s title, “+234Art,” ingeniously merges Nigeria’s country calling code (+234) with the expansive realm of “Art,” offering a comprehensive snapshot of the contemporary Nigerian art scene and its ties to the broader African and global art community.
This admission-free fair immerses attendees in a vibrant showcase of painting, photography, and sculpture, also inviting the public to intimately engage with the latest creative ventures of Nigeria’s emerging artists and photographers.
Bolaji Lawal, managing director/regional executive of Ecobank Nigeria, asserts that the partnership mirrors the Pan African Bank’s dedication to championing the creative industry in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
Lawal also stated Ecobank’s aim to spotlight Nigerian creatives by showcasing their talents and furnishing them with platforms and opportunities to exhibit their works locally and globally.
Tola Akerele, Founder of Soto Gallery, discloses that the inaugural edition of the event will revolve thematically around ‘A New Heritage,’ serving as a melting pot of artistic innovation from diverse societal segments.
Akerele elucidates that the free-entry fair seeks to offer an immersive exhibition of painting, photography, and sculpture, granting the general public an up-close view of the ongoing endeavours of emerging artists and photographers in Nigeria.
She further explained that the art fair will endeavour to establish a sustainable platform for young and emerging artists in the country, providing avenues to refine skills and deepen understanding of the industry through concurrent workshops.
Moreover, the fair will spotlight Nigerian artistry and stimulate economic transactions through art purchases, thereby elevating artists socioeconomically and enabling them to earn recognition locally, regionally, and internationally.
Concluding on March 31, 2024, the exhibition will feature over 100 artists showcasing artworks spanning sculptures, paintings, and physical and virtual installations. Additionally, interactive sessions and roundtable discussions centred on navigating the art scene and gaining traction in the art industry will be convened.
