From 4th-7th November 2021, artists and art-lovers from all over the African continent gathered in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos State, for the 5th edition of Art X Lagos, an annual festival founded by Tokini Peterside as a way to champion African art, and of course, the people who create it.
Following a 2-year hiatus induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, art-lovers were eager to return to West Africa’s largest art fair, which showcased a plethora of artworks from talents such as Kelani Abass, Bunmi Agusto, Yusuff Aina, Etinosa Yvonne, Yadichinma Ukoha-Kalu, Nuits Balnéaires and Djibril Drame.
While the existential crisis onset by the pandemic continues to be a cause for concern, this triumphant meeting of minds served as a reminder of what life was like in the years B.C. (Before Covid), while also embracing a futuristic outlook by incorporating both physical and digital presentation methods.
Festivities on the penultimate day of the 4-day event were brought to a close with the much-anticipated mini-concert titled Art X Live, where an A-list audience was dazzled with live performances from homegrown talents AYLØ, Dami Oniru, and ‘Monalisa’ crooner Lojay.
Mo Abudu, Alexander Julian, Eku Edewor, Falana, Ozzy Etomi, Jola “Jollz” Ayeye, TY Bello, Bayo Oke-Lawal, Tola Adegbite, Denola Grey, Tems and Folu Storms were just a few of the personalities spotted at Art X Lagos this year, which housed specially-curated selections of art from West Africa’s largest art gallery, the Nike Art Gallery, and numerous others.
