Art X Lagos 2020 To Go Virtual, Announces Dates and Program

For the first time in its history, ART X Lagos, West Africa’s premier international art fair, will be an all-virtual affair, with exhibitions taking place online from 2nd to 9th December 2020.

The fair’s fifth edition will be anchored by an online exhibition of 200 artworks from leading galleries across Africa and the Diaspora, who are all united in their commitment to champion African creative expression.

This year’s theme is ‘Present States, Shared Futures’ and the fair will seek to proffer new ideas on how Nigeria’s global and national communities can move forward, despite certain challenges.

The artworks will be displayed on the platform’s website, which has been designed as a dynamic digital platform to recreate the breadth and diversity of the fair virtually for a global audience.

Tokini Peterside, the founder & CEO of ART X Collective, said the program assembled for the fifth anniversary fair is an important part of its response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the events of 2020.

“With the whirlwind of protests that have swept across Nigeria, the ongoing pandemic being experienced around the world, and the global reckoning with centuries of inequality and violence against black bodies, 2020 has been a year of awakening. We feel privileged to be able to present the fifth edition of ART X Lagos. We share a vision for Nigeria’s future in which everyone can realise their fullest potential, and remain committed to providing platforms for expression, upliftment and inspiration.”

Originally scheduled for November 6 to 15, the fair was stalled by the EndSARS protests and the state of unrest that ensued afterwards.

On what motivated her to tap into her inner resilience to ensure that the fair takes place despite all odds, Peterside revealed that it was down to a combination of many factors.

“This year has tested the very essence of our humanity, and has brought upheaval to us all, with unique challenges to artists and entrepreneurs in the culture sector. The 5th Edition of ART X Lagos will be the culmination of creativity, grit and purpose, in spite of adversity. Our previous editions have shown ourselves, and the world, what is possible within the African imagination, when we come together, united by our passion and enthusiasm for our continent’s creators. Our belief remains, that the future is bright for Africa and its creative talent, and we are thankful to our community for joining us to make this a reality.”

ART X Lagos will also present a landmark project capturing the critical movement for change in Nigeria, New Nigeria Studios, which was birthed from the documentation of the recent protests in Nigeria. The exhibition will feature artists that were recipients of the fair’s support initiative for 100 photographers who worked at the frontlines.

ART X Lagos, has become a firm cornerstone of the African art calendar. Since its debut in 2016, the art fair, which is the first of its kind in West Africa, has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors, including international and regional art collectors, patrons of the arts, scholars and critics.

Rita Osakwe

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