The African artists you don’t want to miss from ART X Lagos

Nuits Balnéaires - Alonhomba 1, The Power of Alliances - 2021 - Photography

For its sixth affair, ART x Lagos returns with its largest ever edition. Showcasing incredible artworks from artists of African descent from Zimbabwe to Morocco, Egypt and South Africa. With a huge range of mediums on display such as photography, paintings and sculptures, there is something for everyone’s taste. Featuring 30 artists, 15 of which are new to ART x Lagos - not only is this art fair known for its vast programme but for highlighting new and potentially never-been-seen-before artists. Amongst the incredible artwork you find panel discussions from ART x Talks curated by Aude Mgba, ART x Live featuring collaborations between Africa's rising stars in music and art curated by Lanre Masha, Faridah Folawiyo and Ayo Lawson as well as interactive projects and presentations. The Access Bank ART x Prize will also be making a return to highlight this years emerging visual artist. Giving the viewer a glimpse into the future of art making in Africa and to support the fast evolving digital art scene, ART x Lagos has joined forces with SuperRare, the curated marketplace for NFT artworks, presenting an auction titled ‘Reloading’. 

We’ve picked just a tiny selection of the artists we think you’ll love. Head to artxlagos.com to discover the rest of the incredible artists on show this year.

Idris Veitch ( Jamaica)

Jamaican born visual artist with a background in fashion design, Veitch’s work is inspired by his time in Jamaica, America and Japan, along with his Jamaican-Nigerian heritage.

Idris Veitch - Busted, Pumping Turtle Heart - 2021 - Digital Collage

Nuits Balneaires ( Côte d’Ivoire)

Working between photography and film, Balneaires plays a key role in the emerging Ivorian art scene. At ART x Lagos he presents the ‘The Power of Alliances’, a collection of work that attempts to foster dialogue on the importance of unity, solidarity and sharing in a country slowly recovering from wounds inherited from decades of political instability.

Nuits Balnéaires - Adahonlin 1, The Power of Alliances - 2021 - Photography

JD Okhai Ojeikere ( Nigeria)

Dubbed as one of the greatest African photographers of the 20th century he was the leader of documentary photography in Nigeria. He began his career at the age of 20, which spanned over an impressive 50 years. After moving to Lagos in 1963, he embarked on a series dedicated to Nigerian culture, creating a body of work that has become a unique anthropological and ethnographic national treasure.

J.D. _Okhai Ojeikere, Agaracha, 1971, Gelatin Silver print | Presented by Magnin-A at ART X Lagos 2021

Aboudia (b.1983, Cote D’Ivoire)

Abstract depictions of social realities in an African society undergoing complex mutation is what Aboudia is best known for. Drawing inspiration from graffiti and traditional African carvings, he possesses a vitality that often recalls Basquiat. Aboudia's work can be found in numerous collections around the world, including the Saatchi Gallery, London

Aboudia, Untitled #1, 2021, Technique mixte sur toile Mixed media on canva

Araba Opoku (Ghana)

A multidisciplinary artist who is currently studying psychology at the University of Ghana. Opoku’s work focuses on mental health and societal issues, and ranges from abstract paintings to three-dimensional objects. Water rationing is the subject of her current project, specifically its effect on the lives of people in her neighbourhood, including the artist herself.

Araba Opoku_Jubilee Well Street 2021 Acrylic on canvas

View the artists work for yourself and many more at artxlagos.com.