ART X Lagos returned to The Federal Palace this month to showcase over 120 artists from 31 galleries plus curated projects, talks and much more. Themed ‘Who Will Gather Under the Baobab Tree?’ this leading fair explored art’s unique ability to inspire, uplift, educate and empower. Here are a few highlights that blew us away.

Art Across Borders

The second season of Art Across Borders explored the curated theme ‘What Shall We Name These Rivers?’ through the works of five artists whose practices delve into ideas of community and movement throughout the continent. Portuguese-Angolan artist, researcher and filmmaker Mónica De Miranda showed her series ‘Twins’, which reflects upon the colonial ruins left behind in Angola, opening up a discourse on the experience of modernity.

Meanwhile fast-emerging South African artist Lulama Wolf showed her series ‘Is This Still Life’, which draws on vernacular architecture and African spirituality to render highly textured yet elegantly simple figurative canvases that contemplate flowers, rest and nostalgia.

Dada Khanyisa

Stevenson Gallery showcased new works by this year's FNB prize winner Dada Khanyisa. The Cape Town-based artist’s multimedia works are primarily made out of wood that he intricately sculpts into scenes of social interaction. These stylised depictions are full of evocation and attitude, describing the intimacies and exchanges within Black South Africa today.

John Madu

John Madu is a young, self-taught Nigerian artist who is becoming known for his figurative paintings steeped in symbolism ranging from popular culture to the history books. Presenting at ART X Lagos with Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery, this painting, titled ‘Not this time invader II’, depicts a boxer challenging a man dressed in the uniform of a British colonial officer. Like many of Madu’s works, it is rich with satirical social commentary whilst being simultaneously bright and striking. There is a satisfying inversion of power in this image as Madu reclaims the storytelling process.

ART X Live!

The ART X Live! programme is what sets ART X Lagos apart thanks to its pan-African celebration of music and digital art. This year's immersive event was an energetic affair themed ‘US’, featuring Nataal issue 3 star Obongjayar alongside South African DJ and amapiano music producer DBN GOGO, rising afrobeats musician YKB and afro-reggae singer Winny. The good times flowed against a scenography by video artist Daberechi and Fahd Bello who presented surreal 2D animations.

Listen to the ART X Live! Spotify Radio here.

Read our interview with YKB here.

Read our interview with Obonjayar here.

Victor Ehikhamenor

Victor Ehikhamenor’s special project, ‘Ulin-Nóifo, The Lineage That Never Ends' provided a show-stopping centre-piece of the fair. Included in this special commission for Art X Lagos were the renowned Nigerian artist’s rosary bead pieces, a large bronze egg sculpture and sound works. The project brought attention to Benin’s cultural and political histories whilst considering Nigeria’s present and future realities. The booth presented a visceral experience of both loss and renewal.

Chigozie Obi

Chigozie Obi won the Access Bank ART X Prize in 2021 and was awarded a grant towards a solo presentation at this year's fair. Nataal loved her bright pink booth showing a body of bold, multimedia, figurative self-portraits titled ‘Le Journal de Gozie’. Her work explores the notion of home and experiences navigating unfamiliar territory, following her first trip outside of Nigeria for a residency at Gasworks in London.