ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Lagos Biennial 2021 adopts decentralized digital format with open call for 'refuge' projects

festival-fair · 2026-04-20

Due to travel limitations imposed by the pandemic, artistic directors Kathryn Weir and Folakunle Oshun have transformed the 2021 Lagos Biennial into a decentralized digital initiative. Scheduled from December 4 to 16, this event showcases eleven independent projects centered around the theme 'refuge,' all accessible via the biennial's website. These initiatives will serve as a foundation for the upcoming 2023 edition, which plans to revert to a conventional exhibition format. Featured projects include 'Alien in Eritrea' curated by Sephora Woldu, 'As the Carbon We Are' by Jade Montserrat, 'Eworo Yi Ngbe: Plant Temple' by Yussef Agbo-Ola, 'Hanging Imaginaries' by Ayodele Arigbabu, 'Mare a Mare' by Anïssa Touati, and 'Musing the Border' by Paula Nascimento and Suzana Sousa, among others.

Key facts

  • The 2021 Lagos Biennial runs from December 4 to 16
  • Artistic directors are Kathryn Weir and Folakunle Oshun
  • Theme is 'refuge'
  • Format is digital due to pandemic travel restrictions
  • Eleven independent projects are featured
  • Projects were developed through an open call
  • Projects will form nucleus of 2023 edition
  • Organizers hope 2023 will return to traditional large-scale exhibition format

Entities

Artists

  • Kathryn Weir
  • Folakunle Oshun
  • Sephora Woldu
  • Shushan Tesfuzigta
  • Rezene Tsegai
  • Nahom Abraham Wael
  • Gzoly Vishnu Balunsat
  • Jade Montserrat
  • Alexandra Moore
  • Yussef Agbo-Ola
  • Olaniyi Studio
  • Feda Wardak
  • Kassir Kossoko
  • Platform Aman Iwan
  • Ayodele Arigbabu
  • Meriem Chabani
  • Zoe Paul
  • Mohssin Harraki
  • Leone Contini
  • Asuncion Molinos Gordo
  • Anïssa Touati
  • Helena Uambembe
  • Kiluanji Kia Henda
  • Paulo Moreira
  • Marina Camargo
  • Sammy Baloji
  • Paula Nascimento
  • Suzana Sousa
  • Martinka Bobrikova
  • Oscar de Carmen
  • Anto Lloveras
  • María Alejandra Gatti
  • Adéọlá Ọlágúnjú
  • Anna Ehrenstein
  • Vidisha Saini (Fadescha)
  • Rebecca Pokua Korang
  • Blair Opara
  • Clinton Opara DNA
  • Shaunak Mahbubani
  • Temitayo Shonibare
  • Nolan Oswald Dennis
  • Evan Ifekoya
  • Raymond Pinto
  • Adeju Thompson
  • KJ Abudu
  • Colleen Ndemeh Fitzgerald
  • Julia Cohen Ribeiro
  • Lina Lasso
  • Jasmin Sánchez
  • Florencia Victoria Gomes
  • Kukily

Institutions

  • Lagos Biennial
  • ArtReview

Locations

  • Lagos
  • Nigeria
  • Eritrea
  • USA
  • Philippines
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Algeria
  • Morocco
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • South Africa
  • Angola
  • Portugal
  • Brazil
  • DRC
  • Slovakia
  • Argentina
  • India
  • Liberia
  • Colombia
  • Afghanistan
  • Benin

Sources