ART x Lagos Founder Tokini Peterside on Building Nigeria's Art Scene Amid Challenges
In 2016, Tokini Peterside established ART x Lagos, marking Nigeria's inaugural international contemporary art fair. Now in its sixth iteration, the event includes both in-person and virtual elements, showcasing galleries from Africa and beyond. Motivated by Okwui Enwezor's 2015 Venice Biennale, Peterside sought to elevate and highlight artists. Initial backing came from galleries such as Goodman Gallery and Stevenson. With Lagos's GDP positioned to rank fifth in Africa, it stands as a cultural center. The fair has catalyzed the development of Nigeria's visual arts landscape, complementing events like the Lagos Photo Festival and Lagos Biennial. During the 2020 #EndSARS protests, ART x Lagos supported photographers, and the 2021 program focused on societal themes, underscoring its significance in Nigeria's public arts scene.
Key facts
- ART x Lagos is Nigeria's first international contemporary art fair, founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside.
- The fair held its sixth edition in 2021 with physical and online components, featuring galleries from Africa and abroad.
- Peterside was inspired by Okwui Enwezor's 2015 Venice Biennale and her business education at INSEAD in France and Singapore.
- Early participants included Goodman Gallery and Stevenson from South Africa, and Gallery 1957 from Accra, Ghana.
- Lagos's GDP would rank as Africa's fifth largest if it were a country, and it is a cultural capital for music, fashion, and film.
- The fair has spurred growth alongside events like the Lagos Biennial (founded 2017) and new institutions like the Shyllon Museum of Art.
- During the 2020 #EndSARS protests, ART x Lagos provided 100 sustenance grants and equipment to photographers documenting the movement.
- The 2021 fair's curated program is titled 'The restful ones are not yet born,' featuring community-engaged projects like the short film 'We Are Here'.
Entities
Artists
- Tokini Peterside
- Maki Oh
- Okwui Enwezor
- Folakunle Oshun
- Yinka Shonibare
- Aye
- Burna Boy
- Wizkid
Institutions
- ART x Lagos
- ArtReview
- Alára
- INSEAD
- Goodman Gallery
- Stevenson
- Gallery 1957
- Tate
- Zeitz MOCAA
- Lagos Photo Festival
- Lagos Biennial
- Shyllon Museum of Art
- GAS Foundation
- Tiwani
- The Critics
Locations
- Lagos
- Nigeria
- France
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Accra
- Ghana
- East Africa
- West Africa
- Ivory Coast
- Senegal
- Spain
- Paris
- Venice
- United Kingdom