partners
National Gallery of Art, Nigeria.
Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN)
international artexpo 2009.
After the close of its 2008 edition on 31st August, members of the committee in NGA, Abuja as well as that of AGAN in Lagos swung into action. The Programme Champion, Simon O. Ikpakronyi met severally with officials of AGAN in Lagos to review the activities of the 1st edition and suggest possible ways to make the next and subsequent editions better. All necessary areas were looked at to enhance successful packaging.
Thus, the second edition was held on 22nd - 30th August, 2009 at the same premises of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria. 36 booths with 34 galleries from Nigeria participating and one gallery from the Republic of Benin, that is, Midy Gallery. The gallery thus, is the first international participant to be recorded in the history of International ArtExpo Nigeria and it is expected that more galleries from other countries would be encouraged to participate in subsequent editions. One of the booths was used by MTN Nigeria. In all, a total number of 553 art works from 208 artists were ear-marked for the exhibition, but a total number of 700 works from 308 artists were displayed. From the number of works displayed, we have 490 paintings, painting in all forms, 6 drawings, 86 sculptures, 9 ceramics, 5 installations, 56 mixed media, 59 prints and 5 photographic works.
In the brochure also are other write-ups aimed at educating private galleries of art on what to do to sustain themselves. Hence, topics such as Artists-Gallery Relationship, Conservation and Restoration of Art Works: Their Relevance in a Modern Gallery of Art, Check List on the Care and Handling of Art Works and "Monkey Dey Work..." Artists' Dues Are Due are interestingly discussed for the benefit of artists and owners of galleries. It is also a rich publication for academic use. Note that the exhibition brochures for two editions of International Art Expo Nigeria have provided information beneficial to art lecturers/ students/ historians, educators, critics, lovers of art and the general public. Even studio artists will find them useful. They are indeed academic materials of great value.
With the successful packaging of the first and second editions, ArtExpo Nigeria has now become an international event for galleries outside Nigeria to participate in. With a lot of experiences borrowed from other expos, ArtExpo Nigeria only needs encouragement and sustenance. With this, Nigeria has joined the rest of the world in enriching the global art market where business-minded professional artists, art collectors, art galleries and other stakeholders will converge to patronize and partake in Nigeria's rich aesthetic culture. In this regard, art galleries from within and outside the country are invited to participate in its subsequent editions.
ARTEXPO 2009 PHOTO VIEW:
DOME HOUSING ARTEXPO 2009.
Dignitaries at the International Art Expo 2009.
past ArtEXPO edition.
