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The reputation of the vibrant city of Lagos – the home of Jollof rice, Nollywood and African music – specially preceded it on November 1 – 4, 2023, as Art X Lagos choreographed the 8th edition of its famous art exhibition in style. The showcase was a true celebration of artistic expression.
For the outing, Art X Lagos convened 10 remarkable galleries in a collaborative four-day event. Yet, the real magic laid in the thought-provoking, ambitious and innovative ideas that were on display.
Dennis Osadebe’s ‘Painting/Building/Victory’, for example, extended the spirit of teamwork in basketball to community building. The interactive display featured five ever-spinning miniature basketballers – figurines if you like, whose masked faces capture the pristine African culture of masquerading and whose stance signify progress, togetherness and a communitarian spirit.
Not so far off, Belinda Kazeem-Kaminski’s ‘Ire (Blessings)’ presented an introspective photographic series inspired by the author’s own spiritual reawakening through a re-encounter with ‘obe ila’ (okro soup), epa (boiled groundnut) as well as the precepts of Odu Owonrin Ogbe, one of the 256 Odu Ogbe verses in IFA. The work served as a profound reminder of the importance of embracing one’s cultural roots.
Also, the showcase spotlighted Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya by honouring him with a presentation of his unique body of works, which showed the interplay between art and literature. Showing the influences of the works of Cyprian Ekwensi, Wole Soyinka, and other literary giants, the works opened pathways into our cultural history and values.
Beyond the brush strokes and ornate canvases that took guests art enthusiasts, curious minds, and collectors on an introspective journey, guests also had the opportunity to indulge in sensory experiences as they indulged in The Macallan’s ultra-premium whisky, exploring the world’s finest whisky in the company of the world’s finest art.
As the exhibition ran down, Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Bank; Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State’s First Lady; Banky W, music artiste; Gbemisola Abudu, NBA Africa Vice President & Country Head of NBA Nigeria; and Sam Onyemelukwe, Senior Vice President of Global Business Development at Trace TV and others recognised that they had discovered new avenues for dialogue and innovation in the creative industry.
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