KEY POINTS
- Lagos is a hub for contemporary African art, featuring world-class galleries.
- These eight galleries showcase diverse, innovative works by Nigerian and international artists.
- Each space offers a unique experience, from modern art to traditional African pieces.
Lagos, Nigeria, has become a lively center for African art, blending the country’s cultural history with fresh, modern creativity.
Whether you’re a serious art enthusiast or just curious about the local scene, Lagos’ galleries offer a great mix of styles and stories. Each gallery is an invitation to connect with the memories of Nigeria’s vibrant creative culture.
Here is a detailed overview of the 8 art galleries in Lagos, Nigeria, that showcase the vibrant and diverse art scene of the country:
Nike Art Gallery
Nike Art Gallery is an art gallery with a four-story building in Lekki, Laand regarded as one of the largest art galleries in West Africa. It has a collection of over 7,000 items, such as African art and artefacts, textiles, and sculptures.
The gallery is also an arts-learning institution and a community hub.
Nike Art Gallery conducts art workshops and tutorials that introduce Indigenous art forms comprising adire tie and dye, batik, and beadwork, therefore passing on the knowledge of generations to the young artists, besides necessary skills that would enable them to fit in the art world markets.
Nike Davies-Okundaye, a famous artist, established this company to celebrate African traditions.
With locations in Abuja, Oshogbo, and Kogi, Nike Art Gallery is a must-visit for anyone passionate about Nigerian art. It offers visitors a chance to explore and purchase authentic local artworks, from vibrant paintings to intricate sculptures that capture the essence of African creativity.
Rele Gallery
Rele Gallery, established in 2015 by Adenrele Sonariwo, has become a key player in Lagos’ contemporary art scene.
This gallery actively connects the African and global art worlds by showcasing emerging artists from Africa and the African diaspora.
Rele is known for pushing the boundaries of conventional contemporary art, presenting diverse forms like painting, sculpture, and digital media.
Its bold exhibitions have not only captivated audiences in Lagos but also toured internationally, with shows in cities such as Los Angeles.
Rele Gallery also plays an important role in supporting young art talent through programs such as the Young Contemporaries, which seeks to invest in budding artists from across the African continent.
This program has become one of the most significant successes in Rele’s approach to nurturing artists.
Thought Pyramid Art Centre
The Thought Pyramid Art Centre is one of the most popular art galleries in Nigeria, with branches in Abuja, Lagos, Oghara, and Benin City. Since its creation in 2007, the art centre has been instrumental in providing a platform for modern and traditional pieces of artwork.
This is a hub for artworks from Nigerian and other African artists for collection, conservation, and promotion of modern and contemporary pieces, with special consideration for pieces from the African diaspora.
The centre is designed for exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and performances and seeks to establish a profound symbiosis between art, culture, and people. It showcases various art kinds, such as surrealist art and expressionism, new modern oil paintings, copper foil artwork, and mixed media art.
Thought Pyramid also supports emerging talent through programs and schemes like the recent Next of Kin competition that focuses on young African artists.
Ogirikan Art Gallery
Based in Ikoyi, Lagos, Ogirikan focuses on affordable modern and traditional Nigerian art, with paintings, sculptures, and prints by upcoming talents. It has an enviable reputation for an unsophisticated way of acquiring art pieces.
Since its genesis in 2018, it has been dedicated to showcasing both up-and-coming and proven talents, making a name for itself as a key player in Nigeria’s growing art scene. It has earned a reputation for its dedication to improving diversity within the art world, hosting festivals and exhibitions focused on various art forms.
One of its most notable contributions is the annual Miniature Art Fair, which showcases over 1,000 pieces of art in small formats, promoting creativity and affordability in the Nigerian art market.
In addition to the art gallery, Ogirikan offers custom framing services, art restoration, and art consultation to help clients find the perfect piece for their space.
kó Art Space
kó Art Space is a small gallery situated in the Ikoyi part of Lagos, focusing on historical and contemporary African art. It exclusively features traditional and new-generation Nigerian artists.
The gallery has contemporary Nigerian artists of the late 20th and early 21st century, Nigerian masters like Ben Enwonwu, and contemporary artists from across the diaspora, making it a perfect spot for lovers of African art.
It has featured shows that developed from the Nsukka School tradition of synthesizing both local and international inspirations to create relevant art for today’s society.
Besides exhibiting in galleries, kó Art Space participates in international art fairs such as the Armory Show in New York, helping to position African art within the global market.
Art Twenty-One
Art Twenty One, located at the Eko Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos, is a cutting-edge gallery that focuses on contemporary African art with a global perspective. The gallery blends modern aesthetics with a futuristic touch, offering a striking collection of paintings and sculptures that captivate both art lovers and collectors.
Art Twenty One’s mission is to bridge regional and global art scenes, fostering a space where African talent meets international influences.
Through diverse exhibitions, installations, and cultural programs, this art gallery in Lagos creates a platform for dialogue between African creativity and global trends.
Past exhibitions have included works by notable Nigerian sculptor Olu Amoda and Swiss-Guinean photographer Namsa Leuba, reflecting the gallery’s commitment to showcasing the best African talent while embracing broader artistic perspectives.
Affinity Art Gallery
Affinity Art Gallery, located in Victoria Island, Nigeria, started operations in 2020.
It actively shapes a new path for emerging African artists, offering a vibrant platform to showcase their work. Applauded for its dynamic and engaging displays, the gallery fosters an environment where creativity thrives.
Through its exhibitions, it highlights both upcoming talents and mid-career artists, helping them gain recognition not only locally but also internationally.
Beyond exhibitions, Affinity Art Gallery also focuses on public engagement. The gallery runs public education programs designed to raise awareness and appreciation of art within the community.
These initiatives aim to inspire a broader audience to explore the world of contemporary African art while also providing valuable exposure for artists.
The gallery showcases a variety of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and mixed media.
Omenka Gallery
Omenka Gallery, founded by Oliver Enwonwu (son of the famous artist Ben Enwonwu), is a prestigious art space in Ikoyi.
It exhibits a wide range of works from Nigerian and international artists. It’s a top destination for collectors of African art. The gallery is set in the artist’s former home and showcases modern and contemporary art.
Omenka Gallery is also known for its involvement in international art fairs such as Art Dubai and 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London. This helps to amplify African art’s presence in the global market. In addition to exhibitions, the gallery also produces scholarly publications and catalogues.
Conclusively, these galleries collectively contribute to Lagos being one of Africa’s most exciting hubs for art display, further demonstrating Nigeria’s rising profile in the global art market. Visiting these spaces will offer you a deep appreciation of Nigerian creativity and its contributions to art.
