From November 4 to November 6, 2016, 65 Nigerian and African contemporary visual artists will exhibit their works at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, as TP-Collective presents its maiden edition of Art X Lagos. Art X Lagos’s two-day event seeks to widen Nigeria’s connection to the contemporary art scene across Africa and internationally, increase the patronage of artists across the continent, and inspire the next generation of African artists.

The idea for Art X Lagos was reinforced after the founder and director of TP-Collective, Tokini Peterside and other members of her team visited other countries such as Senegal, Mali, and South Africa and witnessed their stunning annual art exhibitions.

“We kept thinking, Nigeria [is] the largest market in Africa, and also the second largest market for art in the continent. How is it that we did not have an annual platform that we could showcase the many incredible established and emerging artists that we have? And so, we decided to create Art X Lagos,” remarked Ms Peterside at the official press conference at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Art X Lagos seeks to consolidate the role of the visual arts as an important component of the creative industry and contribute to the increased visibility of contemporary artists from Africa, creating a vibrant art market and positioning Lagos as an emergent cultural capital on the continent. And the vision is certainly not misplaced.

In Nigeria, young, contemporary visual artists and their works continue to struggle with cultural and socioeconomic visibility. Particularly the ‘local’ artists who are not mainstream. To this end, Art X Lagos (in partnership with Access Bank), launched the #ArtXPrize on social media in September, in one of its effort to provide a solution to the problem.

The competition witnessed entries from around 200 up and coming young artists in just two and a half weeks, from which eight semi-finalists have emerged. The Top 4 finalists of #ArtXPrize will be announced on Monday, October 24th while the prize-winner will be announced at the Opening Preview on Friday, November 4th, 2016. Registration for the event is free.

While Art X Lagos is dedicated to showcasing and promoting the talents of visual artists in the country and continent, the organisers do well to acknowledge that there is more to art than talent or skill. For instance, Art X Lagos recognises the role and significance of other forms of art such as photography, in advancing the sector through its “special project exhibition”. Also, there will be talks to educate people about art collection and collectors, as well as the ‘business of art’, and more.

Bisi Silva, the Creative Director of TP-Collective notes that “as you know there’s a lot of hype around African art. But why this hype? What are the figures? Let’s talk a little bit about the business part of the art.”

“The creative economy is a multi-billion dollar industry. How much of that industry does Africa have? How much does Nigeria have? The potential within the art sector – whether it’s in music, fashion, film – we can strategise and position ourselves to be part of this multi-billion dollar creative economy.”

In addition to the aforementioned discussions and exhibitions, there will be live art and performance installations at the art fair, featuring some of Nigeria’s brightest emerging art stars drawing and painting live at the venue, as well as a special collaboration project with the music industry featuring musical artistes such as Vector, Simi, Ikon and Poe.

Featured artists at the two-day event include William Kentridge (South Africa), Kudzanai Chiurai (Zimbabwe), Jeremiah Quarshie (Ghana), Barthelemy Togou (Cameroon), Amadou Sanogo (Mali), and Sokari Douglas Camp, Rubi Onyiyechi Amanze, Alimi Adewale, George Osodi, Victor Ehikamenor, and Lakin Ogunbanwo from Nigeria, amongst others. Professor El Anatsui, Professor Bruce Onabrakpeya, and Mark Coetzee, Director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town are scheduled to speak at the event.

Speaking at the official press launch, Tokini Peterside, ART X Lagos Founder and Director TP-Collective said, “I am encouraged by the interest and support we have received so far from all partners.  This affirms our decision to go ahead with the project.” ART X Lagos enjoys the support of sponsors such as Access Bank, 7UP Bottling Company and ANAP Jets.

Although the debut edition of Art X is taking place in Lagos this year, Tokini Peterside assures lovers of art outside the state that there are plans to have subsequent editions in other parts of the country.

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