highlights from ART X LAGOS 2023

Words by The ART X Editorial Team
November 2023

We are delighted to have welcomed you to join us in celebrating the richness and diversity of African art. The Dialogue was the thematic departure point for our eighth edition of ART X Lagos. It explored ideas and prompts to elicit reflection, conversation, discussion and negotiation to help us shift knowledge – moving towards seeing beyond the dilemmas we experience, to ways that encourage us to imagine the here and now differently. Thank you for being a part of this discussion and community.

At the heart of the fair, the versatile amphitheatre symbolised the coming together of people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the transformative power of art in the face of political and socio-economic challenges. It played host to a myriad of programmed events including ART X Talks, The Development Forum, ART X Live!, and the newly introduced ART X Cinema.

ART X Cinema — an immersive audio-visual experience that showcased the works of 15 artists from across Africa and its Diaspora. Attendees were invited to immerse themselves in a rich selection of films that delved into how artists disrupt, imagine, and reinvent.

ART X Lagos featured a tightly curated selection of 10 exhibitors, each making a unique contribution to the visual arts ecosystem across Africa and the Diaspora.

Galleries exhibiting at ART X Lagos 2023 commented:

“We have been part of ART X Lagos since the very beginning. It's such an important fair for West Africa and the continent as a whole, representing Africa to the world. We were humbled and proud to be invited to take part in the dialogue. It demonstrates our longstanding relationship with the organisers and Nigeria. ART X Lagos is always a meeting point for us. We see our friends and collectors. It's always a great opportunity to be here at ART X Lagos.”
- Gallery 1957 (Ghana)

“Our experience at ART X Lagos this year has been so exciting. We have been approached by people from all over the world, people who we have never met before. It's been a whirlwind experience. We are honoured to be here and showcase the works we have on display.”
- O’DA Art Gallery (Nigeria)

“The theme of this year's edition of ART X Lagos, The Dialogue, is in complete alignment with what Galerie MAM stands for, which is doing things for us, with us, and by us. We feel proud and privileged to be part of this dialogue.”
- Galerie MAM (Cameroon)

In collaboration with Afreximbank, Art Across Borders proudly unveiled its third volume at the fair. The 2023 program introduced six dynamic artists, who exemplify the innovative spirit that characterises contemporary African art.

ART X Talks and The Development Forum took the dialogue to a deeper level with several lively and insightful discussions including Ibrahim Mahama, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Femi Lijadu, Ugoma Ebilah, Ifeoma Fafunwa and more.

The Access ART X Prize 2022 winners each showcased a solo exhibition at the fair. Dafe Oboro's presentation, titled "Odafe," and Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński's solo exhibition, "Ire," were a huge success.

Saturday night was infused with high energy as ART X Live! came alive. The talents - Tay Iwar, Azekel, and Dope Caesar took the crowd on an electrifying musical journey to a place of joy and celebration at the pinnacle of the fair weekend.

Our special projects ignited thought-provoking discussions and fostered a profound sense of unity among attendees. The fair served as a powerful platform for artistic expression and dialogue, leaving an indelible impact on all who had experienced it.

We are always looking for ways to improve and would greatly appreciate your support in helping us do this by clicking on the link below and filling out a quick survey that won’t take more than 3 minutes of your time.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the vibrancy and creativity of African art. We look forward to welcoming you again to our ninth edition next year.