Exploring 'Promised Lands': Art X Lagos Showcases a Possible Future of African Art

The ninth edition of ART X Lagos, West Africa’s premier international art fair, has once again captivated the art world with its theme, “Promised Lands.” This year’s event, held from October 31 to November 3, 2024, at The Federal Palace in Victoria Island, Lagos, showcased a vibrant array of contemporary African art, culture, and creativity.

Founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, ART X Lagos has grown into a dynamic platform that promotes contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. The fair has become a pivotal player in the West African art market, drawing in trendy galleries, artists, and art enthusiasts from around the globe.

The theme “Promised Lands” explores both tangible and imagined spaces that offer hope and a vision of greater freedoms. This concept resonates deeply amid the current political and socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria and the broader African region.

The event featured ten specially curated galleries from cities such as Lagos, Accra, and London, showcasing a diverse mix of emerging and established artists from across Africa and its diaspora.

Highlights of the fair included the group exhibition “Kindred Spirits: A Gathering of the Aka Circle of Artists,” featuring works by 15 artists from the collective known as the Aka Circle of Exhibiting Artists. The exhibition, curated by Iheanyi Onwuegbucha, had an exclusive private preview on October 30 and a public opening the following day.

Additionally, the fair hosted several significant exhibitions, including Andrew Dosunmu‘s first solo exhibition in Africa, “Restless Cities: From Lagos to the World,” and Marcellina Akpojotor‘s textile art addressing sustainability. Williams Chechet’s Afro-futurist project “Breaking Barriers” also contributed to the fair’s theme of creativity driving social change.

ART X Live! returned with a live music experience that connected Nigeria’s past, present, and future sounds. The event featured traditional Fuji music blended with contemporary genres, with creative direction from visual artist Niyi Okeowo and music producer Odunsi (The Engine).

The cinema program showcased 13 films by African and diaspora filmmakers, further enriching the cultural tapestry of the fair.

The fair’s influence extends beyond the visual arts, fostering dialogue between local and international art communities. Educational initiatives, such as the Schools’ Programme and Development Forum, aimed at supporting emerging African talent, were also part of the event.ART X Lagos continues to solidify its position as a leading platform for contemporary African art, culture, and creativity. As the fair grows in prominence, it remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for artists and art lovers alike, mapping the “Promised Lands” of artistic expression and cultural exchange.

By Joseph Johnston,
Youth Editor,
Egogonews Hub

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