For 2019, the fair has undertaken some exciting changes in order to keep surpassing the traditional scope of an art fair. In addition to a new three-gallery Modern Art Section, dedicated to showcasing 20th century pioneers of African Modern Art, and the debut of a Performance Art Pavilion, ART X Lagos is also moving from its old premises within The Civic Centre to a shiny new location: the Federal Palace, on Victoria Island. The move marks a significant step for the fair’s evolution, offering a vastly increased venue capacity (an almost 50% increase to 23 booths).
For the first time, West Africa’s premier international art fair is also introducing a curatorial theme. “Art in Life | Life through Art” will apply to Curated Projects, the Performance Pavilion and the Interactive Projects, and will investigate how art and creativity influence and enrich our daily lives, be it socially, aesthetically, economically or intellectually.
EYERUSALEM JIREGNA (b.1993), THE CITY OF SAINTS X (2017) © Addis Fine Art
ART X Lagos Founder and Director Tokini Peterside commented, “We continue to redefine the boundaries of what an art fair can hope to achieve, through our curated and interactive projects, our Prize for emerging artists, as well as ART X Live! - all of which combine to showcase the very best of contemporary and modern, established and emerging, art and culture from Africa and the Diaspora.”
Even the list of galleries attending has some exciting new additions; big names including Ed Cross Fine Art, Goodman Gallery and Galerie Cécile Fakhoury are all appearing for the first time.
The full exhibitor list for 2019: Arthouse - The Space, Artyrama, Bloom Art, Mydrim Gallery, Nike Art Gallery, Retro Africa, SMO Contemporary Art, Thought Pyramid (Nigeria); Addis Fine Art (Ethiopia); Afriart Gallery Kampala (Uganda); Circle Art Gallery (Kenya); Ed Cross Fine Art (United Kingdom); Everard Read (South Africa); Galerie Cécile Fakhoury (Côte d’Ivoire); Galerie MAM (Cameroon); Galerie Voss (Germany); Gallery 1957 (Ghana); Goodman Gallery (South Africa); LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery (Côte d’Ivoire); Out of Africa Gallery (Spain); SMAC Gallery (South Africa); TAFETA (United Kingdom) and Tiwani Contemporary (United Kingdom).
