ART X Lagos Concludes its Tenth Edition, Cementing a Decade of Cultural Impact.

ART X Lagos successfully concluded its milestone tenth edition, known as 10X, which took place from 6 to 9 November 2025 at the Federal Palace in Lagos.

The 2025 edition celebrated a decade of amplifying African and diasporic voices within the global cultural landscape.

The fair commenced on Thursday 6 November with an exclusive Collectors Preview, offering leading collectors and patrons an early look at this year’s gallery presentations and Special Projects. On Friday 7 November, ART X Lagos hosted its Official Opening Ceremony at Federal Palace, followed by the Official After Party at ALARA curated by Native Sound System.

The event brought together artists, cultural leaders, and supporters to celebrate ten years of ART X Lagos.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa; Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka; and Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr. Marc Fonbaustier. Members of the ART X Lagos Advisory Board, including Femi Lijadu, N’Goné Fall, Papa Omotayo, Reni Folawiyo and Labi Ogunbiyi, were also present alongside leading private sector partners and sponsors.

The 10X edition drew a record number of local and international visitors, reaffirming ART X Lagos’ position as a global destination for African art and a defining force in the continent’s creative economy.

Under the leadership of Founder and Chairman, Tokini Peterside Schwebig, the 2025 fair unfolded across four expansive locations within the Federal Palace grounds: the Balmoral Marquee, the Federal Palace Ballroom Marquee, the Federal Palace Lobby and the Waterfront Garden.

This ambitious multi site format was introduced specially for the tenth anniversary.

To extend the experience beyond the fair dates, the installation in the Federal Palace Lobby dedicated to this year’s ART X ICON, J. D. Okhai Ojeikere, will remain open to the public until 31 December 2025.

Held under the theme “Imagining Otherwise, No Matter The Tide,” the 10X edition invited audiences to explore imagination, possibility and agency in shaping Africa’s shared future. The fair reflected on a decade of cultural growth while charting a new direction for the years ahead.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Founder and Chairman, Tokini Peterside Schwebig, noted:

“At ten, ART X Lagos stands both rooted and reaching, much like the mangrove that inspired this year’s journey.

Key Highlights of the Fair

Curated Galleries

ART X Lagos 2025 featured 15 curated galleries showcasing emerging and established artists from across Africa and the diaspora. Participating spaces included Affinity Art Gallery, Afriart Gallery, Alexis Galleries, Galerie MAM, Gallery 1957, kó, Nike Art Gallery, O’DA Art, SMO Contemporary, Tiwani Contemporary, Wunika Mukan Gallery and Yenwa.

Spotlight Galleries

The new Spotlight Galleries section featured ADEGBOLA, AMG Projects and Nomadic Art Gallery, each presenting focused solo exhibitions by rising artists.

Special Projects

Curated by Missla Libsekal, the Special Projects were defining features of the 2025 fair.

Nengi Omuku’s “External Realities, Internal Geographies”

Sponsored by Chapel Hill Denham and presented in support of TAOH Africa, the exhibition transformed sanyan cloth into landscapes of memory and renewal. Omuku also hosted a workshop that invited participants to reconnect through art.

Temitayo Ogunbiyi’s “Where There is Life, There is Hope: B’á ò kú, ìṣe ò tán”

Sponsored by emPLE, this participatory installation encouraged audiences to reflect on the urban environment and its possibilities.

ART X ICON: J. D. Okhai Ojeikere

Sponsored by Zenith Bank, the inaugural ART X ICON exhibition “An Exacting Eye” presented six decades of Ojeikere’s mastery. The show unfolded across three locations, marking a significant homecoming for his legacy.

A special extension, The Masterclass, led by photographer and archivist Amaize Ojeikere, convened ten emerging photographers. Three will receive grants and publicly present their work.

Portraits of Modernity

A live photography studio curated by Fikayo Adebajo invited visitors to co create new cultural portraits inspired by Ojeikere’s iconic imagery, using the Patewo chair crafted by Saliu Iwadi Studios.

Sculptural Installations

Dennis Osadebe’s MASS Devotion, installed in the Waterfront Garden, explored collective spirituality. At the Ballroom Marquee entrance, sculptor Sokari Douglas Camp CBE presented Asoebi, a steel interpretation of the traditional family cloth.

The Library

Sponsored by Stanbic IBTC Pensions, The Library featured works by Bruce Onobrakpeya, publications from the G. A. S. Foundation Art Library and ART X Cinema programming. A highlight of the space was Tales by Moonlight, where young audiences learned directly from Onobrakpeya in a multigenerational storytelling session.

Speakers’ Corner

Curated by Fikayo Adebajo, Speakers’ Corner featured a mangrove installation by Mitimeth and hosted readings and discussions with artists, writers and cultural commentators.

The mangrove tree has been donated to the Lagos State Government and will reside permanently at Lagos House in the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

ART X Cinema

Curated by Tega Okiti, ART X Cinema presented a selection of African shorts, features and documentaries, including Akinola Davies’ debut feature My Father’s Shadow and Mati Diop’s award winning film Dahomey.

ART X Live

Sponsored by EnjoyCorp and adidas, and curated by Lanre Masha, ART X Live celebrated resilience and interconnection under the theme “From the Roots.” Performers included The Cavemen, LLona, Braye and Ameaya.

ART X Talks

The 2025 Talks featured Akinbode Akinbiyi, Amaize Ojeikere, Mati Diop and the Art Across Borders artists. A special conversation titled The Rebels and The Movement brought together Bruce Onobrakpeya, Jimoh Buraimoh and Nike Davies Okundaye to revisit the Zaria Art Society and the Osogbo School.

Art Across Borders

Sponsored by Afreximbank and curated by Jumoke Sanwo, the fifth edition showcased six acclaimed mid career artists, exploring decoloniality, belonging and shared futures.

Resonance Residency

ART X Lagos reaffirmed its commitment to emerging talent through the Resonance residency in Paris, developed in partnership with the Embassy of France and the Cité Internationale des Arts. The inaugural fellows, Mobolaji Ogunrosoye, Olorunfemi Adewuyi and Tony Agbapuonwu, were introduced during the fair.

Educational and Community Programmes.

The Schools Programme, sponsored by ZTL Liquids Transfer and delivered in partnership with Teach for Nigeria, welcomed more than 750 children. Students participated in guided tours, workshops and exhibitions celebrating the theme “Imagining Otherwise.”