By Nii B. Andrews.
The 7th edition of one of West Africa’s most prominent art fairs – ART X Lagos, is scheduled to begin this weekend in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
A total of 31 galleries will exhibit cutting edge art from Africa and its diaspora with a focus on addressing topical local and global issues that impact culture and beyond.
This year’s theme is, “WHO WILL GATHER UNDER THE BAOBAB TREE?” thus referencing the huge indigenous tree that has served as a meeting place for important communal discussions throughout Africa’s history.
Art work produced by over 120 artists from more than 40 countries will be on display.
The corporate sponsors include Access Corporation, Afreximbank, Anap Jets, Chapel Hill Denham, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers and Zircon Marine; this year’s edition of the fair will be the largest to date.
An extensive exhibition and deliberative program has been planned.
It will include Victor Ehikhamenor, multi-hyphenate artist presenting his visual and sonic installation ‘Ulin-nóifo, The Lineage That Never Ends’; Senegalese-Moroccan artist Linda Dounia’s digital artificial intelligence installation ‘Once Upon A Garden’; and Ranti Bam, who through her painting and clay sculptures, will present a performance project ‘Sowing Seeds In Heartland’.
An emphatic effort will be made to highlight, promote and support early-career artists.
ARTcapital GHANA
*****UNTITLED: Noreen Ewoe Defia, Mixed media, 37 x 37 ins, signed lower left, 2021****
At stake will be the Access ART X Prize, an annual award for emerging artists in Africa and the Diaspora.
Two winners will be selected, by a distinguished international jury, to engage in a sponsored residency and tailored mentorship programs situated in Lagos and London.
ART X Lagos will be held from 4-6 November at The Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The fair, founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, has since become a cornerstone of the African art sector.