For the first time, ART X Lagos has been anchored by an online exhibition. Let’s discover together more than 200 artworks from leading galleries across Africa and the Diaspora.

Founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside, a young Nigerian business woman graduated from the London School of Economics, ART X Lagos has become a cornerstone of the Lagos art calendar.

Have you ever heard about it before?

It is the West Africa’s premier international art fair, designed to showcase the best and most innovative contemporary and modern art from the African continent and its Diaspora.

In four editions ART X Lagos has welcomed over 30,000 visitors to see the works of Africa’s established and emerging artists. These attendees and the satellite exhibitions that have emerged in response to the fair, are undoubtedly indicators of Lagos’ position as a fast-emerging and exciting cultural hub.

COVID-19 pandemic and Nigeria difficult political situation (look at October ‘20 protests against Police brutalities) didn’t stop the fifth edition of this important artistic appointment, who is currently taking place online.

From the 2nd to the 9th of December 2020, 200 artworks from 10 interesting galleries are displaying on artxlagos.com.

First of all let’s look at the number of art players involved: it could seem very low in comparison to European art events. However ART X Lagos is a real pillar for the development of the Nigerian cultural market. There is an undoubted growth potential in this country, as general economics indicators show us, but insufficient exhibition spaces and few opportunities for artists and collectors. ART X Lagos is clearing the way to future cultural and economics connections.

In addition to artworks displaying, this 2020 online edition has delivered an exciting program of specially curated projects, talks and events, to its broad and international audience.

In fact five different proposals has represented the resilience and creativity of the African continent and the Diaspora: ART X Talks, ART X Live!, ART X Review, “New Nigeria Studios”, “40 Minutes with”.

ART X Talks has presented a series of poignant conversations featuring leading creatives who harnessed their respective forms of creative expression to comment on social challenges; ART X Live! has shown “Like Someone’s Watching”, a performance film starring Nigeria’s fastest rising music talent Oxlade, Tomi Owo, King Jesse Uranta and DJ Camron, who have spoken of their aspirations for liberation and self-determination in this present moment; ART X Review has involved the global well known artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby who has shared insights to help emerging artists further their professional practice.

Another interesting activity has been “New Nigeria Studios”, a digital exhibition that was birthed in response to the recent protests in Nigeria. “New Nigeria Studios” has sought to amplify the voices of the artists who captured the powerful movement as it unfolded across the country. Photographers and video makers had been invited to send their works that have been displayed on ART X Lagos website.

The last but not the least “40 Minutes With…” has virtually recreated the insightful conversations that would usually take place with gallerists at their ART X Lagos booths. The participating galleries have given insights about their artists and works being exhibited online at the fair during 40 minutes online talks.

However which have been the art galleries involved in this ART X Lagos fifth edition? Which have been the artists I appreciated the most?

Shown below there are their names and my personal ART X Lagos works selection.

Bloom Art Lagos has shown works of Angela Amami Isiuwe, Gbenga Offo, Olu Ajayi, Richardson Ovbiebo and Uchay Joel Chima.

Ed Cross Fine Art, located in London, has exhibited Abe Odedina, Tiffanie Delune and Wole Lagunju.

I particularly appreciated the artworks of these last two artists.



Tiffanie Delune, "Seeking Solace", 2020, unique, acrylic, oil pastel, colouring pen, colouring pencil and sewing thread on stretched cotton canvas, 70 x 50cm, Ed Cross Fine Art




Wole Lagunju, “Contemplating Ori”, 2020, unique, oil painting on canvas, 160 x 114.3cm, Ed Cross Fine Art


Galerie Cécile Fakhoury (Abidjan, Dakar, Paris) has proposed Aboudia François-Xavier Gbré, Ouattara Watts, Roméo Mivekannin, Sadikou Oukpedjo, instead Galerie Mam (Douala) has shown Bernard Matussière’s beautiful photos.



Bernard Matussière, “Fela 95”, 2002, unique, photography, 80 x 120cm, Galerie Mam


Others participant art galleries have been: Kò Art Space (Lagos), Louisimone Guirandou Gallery (Abidjan) and Nike Art Gallery (Lagos).

Looking at the Ghanaian Nubuke Foundation artists, I really appreciated the mixed media creations of Rufai Zakari.



Rufai Zakari, “Bald in Suit”, 2020, unique, mixed media, 70 x 54cm, Nubuke Foundation


Instead the Spanish Ooa Gallery has presented Bob-Nosa Uwagboe, Bodo Fils Bbm, Prince Galla Gnohité and Evans Mbugua’s interesting portraits.



Evans Mbugua, “Mon Statut d'Homme Libre”, 2020, unique, oil on plexiglass and photopaper, 110 x 90cm, Ooa Gallery


I conclude this little review of ART X Lagos with the Nigerian Smo Contemporary Art and the project about human body proposed by the photographer Angèle Etoundi Essamba.



Angèle Etoundi Essamba, “Noir 34”, 2000, unique, photography, 150 x 100cm, Smo Contemporary Art.


In the next months we will continue to look at Nigeria path to a structured art system with interest.




Born in Genoa, Milanese by adoption, Elisabetta Roncati decided to combine her university education in economics and management with her passion for culture with a goal: bringing people closer to the art market in a clear, easily understandable and professional way. Interested in all forms of artistic and cultural expressions, contemporary and otherwise, she has two great passions: textile art and African art. As an art consultant, she firmly believes that culture has the power to transcend the boundaries of individual nations, creating a global community of art lovers.

In 2018 he founded the registered trademark Art Nomade Milan that she uses to speak about art and culture on the main social media platforms.