Art X Lagos: Bridging Business and Culture in Nigeria

Art X Lagos has become a prominent fixture in Nigeria’s cultural calendar, where art enthusiasts, business leaders, and global influencers converge to celebrate African creativity. Hosted annually at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, the event attracts an impressive blend of Nigerian bank executives, international award-winning filmmakers, and Africa’s most renowned gallerists. Its unique allure has positioned Art X as a gateway for emerging African talent to shine on the global stage.

The Vision Behind Art X Lagos

Founded by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Art X Lagos was born from a vision to create a platform that reflects Africa’s unique cultural narrative and promotes the continent’s artistic excellence in a global context. Peterside-Schwebig, pursuing sponsorship after her MBA at INSEAD, approached Herbert Wigwe, former CEO of Access Bank, who became a pivotal supporter of the fair. Her determination to create an art exhibit that transcends the champagne-toasting elite influenced its inaugural year when ticket prices were free and the fair was multi-disciplinary, embracing music and other art forms alongside visual art.

The result? Art X Lagos is not just another art fair but a cultural movement that speaks directly to Africa’s social and economic realities. Since its inception, it has grown in stature and reputation, now enjoying such visibility that it often turns away sponsors due to prior partnerships with competing brands.

Showcasing Quality Over Quantity

Unlike global art fairs such as Art Basel or Frieze, Art X Lagos prioritizes quality over quantity. The focus has always been on curating a select range of cutting-edge galleries and fostering the careers of talented African artists. As Tokini Peterside-Schwebig explains, the Nigerian art industry boasts immense talent but is still burgeoning as a commercial enterprise. For this year’s event, top galleries like Uganda’s Afriart Gallery and Cameroon’s Galerie MAM reported strong sales and an evolving collector base, including the younger generation inheriting their parents’ passion for art.

Art X has proven invaluable to galleries like Douala-based Galerie MAM, which despite economic hurdles, continues to participate in Lagos. Representing a blend of affordability and accessibility, Art X Lagos serves as an alternative to costly exhibitions in Europe, providing African galleries with a cost-effective platform to network, sell, and build enduring relationships with collectors.

Driving Global Attention to African Art

Art X Lagos has not only enriched the Nigerian art scene but has also bolstered Africa’s presence on the global cultural stage. The fair has achieved milestones with over 700,000 attendees across virtual and physical events, representing 170 countries, and showcasing works from more than 500 African artists. With sales ranging from $4,500 to over $90,000 per piece, galleries such as Ghana’s Gallery 1957 and Lagos-based SMO Contemporary have targeted diverse buyers from Nigerian and African-American to Latin American demographics.

These numbers demonstrate the commercial viability of African art but also emphasize the fair’s broader mission to celebrate the continent’s rich creativity. Tokini Peterside-Schwebig’s belief that Art X’s true worth transcends financial success resonates through its ongoing commitment to empowering artists and elevating the global perception of African culture.

A Growing Market for African Art

The success of Art X Lagos highlights a burgeoning interest in African art, both continentally and internationally. As the market matures, the event continues to attract new collectors while establishing partnerships that nurture a sustainable ecosystem for Africa’s artists. With affordability, access, and authenticity at its core, Art X Lagos has effectively solidified its position as a springboard for African artistic excellence, paving the way for global recognition while remaining deeply rooted in its Lagosian origin.