Akeem Lasisi and Mueez Ajao
Lovers of multi-culture multi-media art have a great date in Lagos as AFRICA NXT will present NXT.ART FAIR between February 27 and March 5.
The fair involving four new-generation galleries will also spark fresh ideas and themes as emerging artists have a big stake in it. It is featuring artists and art galleries from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and the U.S., among others.
“The NXT.ART FAIR debut, dedicated to new innovators, also focuses on contemporary aspirations and future realities,” the organisers say in a statement.
They add that as a gathering that creates an umbrella for fresh ideas, NXT.ART Fair, which holds at Landmark Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, is designed as a yearly event.
“The NXT.ART space will showcase contemporary art from galleries in Africa and the African Diaspora, designed to focus on the distinctive and connective themes in Black culture,” says fair director, Ugonna pe-Ejiogu.
“NXT.ART has partnered African Digital Art to host a Digital Gallery co-curated by Ugonna Ibe-Eio u & So Nwandu.
“In this fair, you find that you have younger galleries involved, the artists represented are emerging ones, and the Africa Digital Art, the sponsor, have very massive digital art installations between the fair as well. So, you are going to see a lot more, a massive technology and a massive exhibition of installations
Ibe-Ejiogu, who is also the founder of Yenwa Gallery, explains that the NXT.ART FAIR, in addition, includes a curated section with theme ‘Here & There.’ The theme is about contemplating resent dreams and future realities.
“Here & There is then, now and everywhen. A journey of reimagined space – physical, psychological and conceptual,” explains Ibe-Ejiogu. “It considers this moment and explores a future experience for Africa and her Diaspora.”
The NXT. ART 5-day experience also has a gathering tagged ‘Curated Convos’, featuring local and international artists, curators, collectors and investors.
In Showcasing a fair of rare standard and quality in Lagos, NXT.ART’s Advisory and Selection committee has been carefully chosen to comprise prominent art collectors and curators in Africa and the Diaspora. The committee screened and selected the galleries being featured in the fair.
Advisory and Selection Committee:
Jess Castellotte: Director, Yemisi Shyllon Museum of African Art (Nigeria)
Amy Andrieux: Executive Director, Museum Of Contempora
African Diasporan Art Mocada (United States)
Chid Liberty: CEO & Founder Liberty & Justice — (Liberia)
Solange Farkas: Director & Curator VideoBrasil Cultural Association (Brazil)
Somi Nwandu: External Affairs Coordinator Smithsonian
Museum of African Art (Dubai)
Jepchumba: Founder, African Digital Art (Kenya)
Ifeyinwa lghodalo: CEO & Founder DOII Designs — (Nige
Olivia Ananl: Co-Director of the Africa + Modern and
Contemporary Art Department Piasa (France)
Ifeyinwa Momah: Lawyer & Member Society for Art Coll (Nigeria).
CONFIRMED PARTICIPATING ART GALLERIES
Gallery At The Landmark (GATLDMK) (Lagos)
Presenting works by
Isaac Emokpae
Ighiwiyisi Jacobs
