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John Randle Center Opens As Afropolis and Other Events Light Up Lagos

Lagos will come alive this weekend with a remarkable merger of art, tradition, and contemporary expression. On October 28, 2024, the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History opened its doors to the public, marking a milestone for the preservation and celebration of Yoruba heritage

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Poster for Afropolis Credit: afropolis.org
Poster for Afropolis Credit: afropolis.org

Nestled in the heart of Lagos Island, the center offers a space that blends history, community, and creativity, featuring a museum, a children’s storytelling corner, multipurpose rooms, and even a theatre. At the core of this inauguration is the Afropolis Lagos Festival, an international celebration of African arts and innovation.


The Afropolis Lagos Festival, which runs until November 3, showcases the theme “We Need New Myths.” Directed by renowned dancer and choreographer Qudus Onikeku, the festival explores fresh narratives for Africa’s future, merging traditional and modern elements in a format reminiscent of the world-renowned Nottingham Carnival. Guests are treated to vibrant displays of music, dance, and visual arts from across Nigeria, West Africa, and beyond, transforming Lagos Island into a hub of international artistic collaboration. With cultural participants hailing from Ghana, Senegal, Lome, and as far afield as São Paulo and Amsterdam, Afropolis offers an unparalleled glimpse into the breadth of African heritage and its contemporary expressions.

 

ART X Lagos: A Hub for Contemporary African Art

As Afropolis draws international crowds, ART X Lagos will add another layer to the weekend’s cultural feast. This fair, now in its ninth year, has positioned itself as West Africa’s premier art event, drawing artists and collectors from over 70 countries. Running from October 31 through November 3, 2024, ART X Lagos will fill the city with vibrant contemporary works, thought-provoking installations, and live performances.

Poster announcing Art X Art Fair Credit: Art X
Poster announcing Art X Art Fair Credit: Art X

Among the highlights is the Access ART X Prize, a competition spotlighting emerging artists from Africa and the diaspora. This prize has earned international recognition for propelling African talent onto the global stage and reinforcing Lagos’ reputation as a cultural capital. For art lovers and collectors, ART X Lagos offers a chance to witness the pulse of contemporary African art as it shapes new narratives and global perspectives.

 

Kindred Spirits: El Anatsui and the Aka Circle of Artists


Further enriching Lagos’ cultural offerings is an extraordinary lecture hosted by The Wheatbaker Hotel on November 3. Professor Chika Okeke-Agulu, a revered art historian from Princeton University, will delve into the communal nature of artistic innovation in a lecture titled “Community and the Individual Talent: El Anatsui and the Aka Circle of Artists.” Okeke-Agulu’s discussion will examine the impact of Nigeria’s Aka Circle, a collective that has fostered creative exchange among African artists, with a particular focus on the globally acclaimed sculptor El Anatsui.


Invite for Public Lecture titled “Community and the Individual Talent: El Anatsui and the Aka Circle of Artists” Credit: kó Gallery
Invite for Public Lecture titled “Community and the Individual Talent: El Anatsui and the Aka Circle of Artists” Credit: kó Gallery

Accompanying this lecture is the exhibition Kindred Spirits: A Gathering of the Aka Circle of Artists, which offers a rare view of the collective’s contributions to modern African art. The event is free, inviting art enthusiasts, students, and professionals to a rich exploration of African artistic networks and their influence on the global stage.

 

The Art of Crafting Light with Tejumola Adenuga

For a more intimate experience, Art Twenty One will present a live demonstration by Tejumola Adenuga, a Nigerian artist known for his striking Jesmonite lamps inspired by Nigeria’s landscapes.

Poster for Lamp Atelier: Live Demonstration Credit: ArtTwentyOne
Poster for Lamp Atelier: Live Demonstration Credit: ArtTwentyOne

On November 2, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, visitors can observe Adenuga at work, creating pieces that blur the lines between function and art. His work merges modern design with traditional craftsmanship, exemplifying Lagos’ blend of innovation and cultural preservation.

 

Dreaming New Worlds: Where Art, Science, and Technology Converge

In a striking departure from traditional forms, the exhibition Dreaming New Worlds invites visitors to experience Lagos’ artistic and technological forefront. Set at the Old Government Printing Press on Broad Street, this show opens on November 2 and runs through the month, presenting a fusion of art, science, and technology under the theme “Collective Illusions.” Curated by Chinyere Obieze, the exhibition includes works exploring quantum principles, 3D printing, and augmented reality, pushing the boundaries of what art can achieve in a digital age.

Poster for Dreaming New Worlds. Credit: Goethe Institut
Poster for Dreaming New Worlds. Credit: Goethe Institut

Featuring collaborations between artists, scientists, and technologists, Dreaming New Worlds challenges viewers to consider the intersections of tradition and technological advancement. This pioneering exhibition, guided by mentors Dr. Odun Orimolade and Ade Adekola, brings Lagos into conversation with global trends in digital and interactive art.

 

In The Mix at Soto Gallery

Adding to Lagos’ cultural wealth, Soto Gallery will present In the Mix, a collective exhibition by six Zimbabwean artists, which opens on November 3. Featuring Admire Kamudzengere, Lilian Magodi, Mercy Moyo, Nyashadzashe Marovatsanga, Sky Salanje, and Wycliffe Mundopa, the exhibition delves into Africa’s postcolonial complexities.

Exhibition view of Admire Kamudzengere's works  Credit: Tyburn Gallery
Exhibition view of Admire Kamudzengere's works Credit: Tyburn Gallery

The artists’ work explores the friction between order and chaos, embodying the continent’s evolving identity. Through figuration and abstraction, In the Mix challenges viewers to confront the contradictions of contemporary African life, where tradition meets modernity in powerful, unresolved tensions.

 

A Duo Show

Simultaneously, Windsor Gallery will unveil The Eighth Continent, a collaboration between Duke Asidere and Mederic Turay that envisions a landscape shaped by African narratives untethered from conventional geography.



Alongside this, Didier Viode’s Mouvements Poétiques contrasts themes of celebration and conflict, drawing inspiration from global figures like boxers Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. The dual exhibitions offer introspective views on African identity, unity, and resilience, establishing Windsor Gallery as a cornerstone of Lagos’ contemporary art scene. The exhibitions run from November 1 to November 30.

 

A Weekend of Unparalleled Cultural Richness

In the words of Qudus Onikeku, the theme of Afropolis captures it best: “We Need New Myths.” This weekend, Lagos will not only tell its stories but will also create new ones, making the city a living canvas for African creativity and resilience.

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