First Eko Art Expo Debuts in Lagos

Lagos is set to witness the first Rasheed Gbadamosi Eko Art Expo on Friday, January 27 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

This was disclosed at a press briefing held at Terra Kulture where the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, revealed that this three-day exhibition is named in honour of the late art patron who has left indelible marks on Nigeria’s cultural landscape.

The exhibition, which is organised by the state government will be curated by the owner, Mydrim Gallery, Mrs. Sinmidele Adesanya alongside the Director of African Artists’ Foundation, Azu Nwagbogu who will curate the photographic component of the expo.

The show which features 400 artworks and photographs will be declared open by the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode alongside the Nobel Laureate and Chairman, Lagos at 50 planning committee, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

According to Ayorinde, the exhibition will be curated along three segments: the photographic part, which is a recreation of the works of several Nigerian artists that were exhibited at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium (Bozar) where Governor Ambode was a special guest in 2016. One hundred photographic artworks from that Bozar exhibition showing different aspects of Lagos under the theme, “Dey Your Lane’’ will be on display at the Eko Art Expo.

The commissioner also revealed that the expo is part of the activities leading up to the Lagos at 50 celebrations which started in May 2016.

“The expo is a demonstration of Governor Ambode’s great vision for the arts and creative workers in Lagos State and his plan to always avail them of space for expression and institutional support from government and corporate Lagos,’’ he said.

Eko Art Expo is expected to attract gallery owners, art collectors, students, artists and other members of the art community.

The opening ceremony will feature a dance production by Qdance centre titled, “Iwa Lewa’’ as well as oral poetry performances.