Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting Nigeria’s creative and cultural industry through its continued sponsorship of ART X Lagos 2026, scheduled to take place from November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Bank, which supported the fair’s landmark 10th anniversary edition in 2025, is returning as a Silver Sponsor for its 11th edition, further demonstrating its commitment to promoting African artistic excellence, preserving cultural heritage and creating opportunities for emerging creative talents.
Founded by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig in 2016, ART X Lagos has grown into one of Africa’s leading international platforms for contemporary art, bringing together artists, galleries, collectors and cultural institutions from across the continent and the diaspora.
Over the years, the fair has attracted artists and galleries from more than 70 countries, with visitors and participants from 170 nations, helping to promote African creativity and strengthen the continent’s presence in the global art industry.
The 2026 edition will be held under the theme, A New Chapter, A New Decade, which reflects on the contributions of artists, architects, educators and thinkers who shaped modernism in Nigeria. The theme also examines how cultural heritage and traditional knowledge can inspire new artistic expressions and creative possibilities.
Through its sponsorship, Zenith Bank aims to support the continued growth of ART X Lagos as an international platform for artistic exchange, cultural preservation and creative enterprise, while strengthening connections within Africa’s creative ecosystem.
As part of its involvement in this year’s edition, the Bank will support two major programmes, ART X ICON and The Masterclass. While ART X ICON celebrates the achievements and contributions of Nigeria’s artistic pioneers, The Masterclass provides emerging creatives with opportunities to learn from and interact with established practitioners.
This year’s ART X ICON exhibition will focus on the life and legacy of renowned Nigerian potter Ladi Dosei Kwali (1925–1984), through an exhibition titled Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel, conceived and developed by curator Dr Jareh Das.
Ladi Kwali, whose portrait appears on Nigeria’s N20 banknote, is widely celebrated for her outstanding contributions to Nigerian ceramics and her role in introducing traditional Nigerian pottery to international audiences.
Drawing from generations of indigenous pottery knowledge, Kwali developed a distinctive artistic style that earned her international recognition and established her as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated ceramic artists.
The exhibition will feature ceramics and archival materials from the National Museum in Lagos, alongside works from private collectors, offering visitors a deeper understanding of her life, artistic practice and lasting influence.
It will also showcase works by women potters who worked alongside Kwali and those who continued her artistic traditions, including Kande Ushafa and Asibi Ido. Traditional pottery works by Gbari, Nupe and Bida potters will also be displayed to highlight the cultural traditions that influenced Kwali’s work and the artistic knowledge passed down through generations.
In addition to the exhibition, The Masterclass programme will bring emerging artists into conversations around Ladi Kwali’s legacy, particularly the relationship between traditional artistic knowledge and contemporary creative practices.
The programme will select 10 emerging artists from different creative disciplines, including painting, sculpture, photography, film, textiles, digital art, performance and ceramics. The selected participants will have opportunities to engage in intimate discussions and exchange ideas with established creative practitioners.
Speaking on the partnership, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, said the Bank recognises that the growth of the creative economy depends on preserving cultural heritage and consistently investing in emerging talents.
She explained that the Bank’s continued partnership with ART X Lagos reflects its belief in supporting platforms that celebrate African artistic excellence, strengthen cultural institutions and provide opportunities for upcoming creatives.
According to her, Zenith Bank remains committed to initiatives that unlock the economic and cultural value of Nigeria’s creative industry while helping African creativity achieve greater international recognition.
Also speaking, the Founder and Director of ART X Lagos, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, expressed appreciation for Zenith Bank’s continued support as the fair enters its second decade.
She noted that partnerships with organisations such as Zenith Bank are essential to sustaining the fair’s vision, expanding its impact and creating lasting opportunities for African creativity to flourish on the international stage.
Beyond ART X ICON and The Masterclass, ART X Lagos 2026 will feature 15 exhibitors across its Main and Spotlight sections, alongside several special projects.
Some of the special projects scheduled for the fair include Ndidi Dike’s Residues of Past Encounters: 2024–2026, The ART X Library and Speakers’ Corner.
The event will also feature a broad multidisciplinary programme comprising ART X Cinema, ART X Live!, ART X Talks, Art Across Borders and the Schools’ Programme, all designed to celebrate the diversity of contemporary creativity across Africa and its diaspora.
The 2026 edition of ART X Lagos will run from November 5 to 8 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
About Zenith Bank Plc
Zenith Bank Plc is a multinational financial services institution headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. Founded in 1990 by Jim Ovia, CFR, the bank is one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, with a shareholders’ fund of ₦4.92 trillion as of 2025.
Its operations extend across Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, the United Kingdom, France, the United Arab Emirates and China.
The financial institution provides retail, commercial and corporate banking services through its extensive physical network and advanced digital platforms. It is also committed to financial inclusion, sustainable development, innovation and strong corporate governance.
With a focus on People, Technology and Service, Zenith Bank continues to deliver financial solutions aimed at creating value for customers, shareholders and the wider economy.
About ART X Lagos
ART X Lagos is a leading international art fair in West Africa, founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig to promote contemporary culture from Africa and its diaspora.
The fair has attracted artists and galleries from more than 70 countries and visitors from 170 nations, contributing to the growth and international recognition of African art.
Its activities cover several creative fields, including visual art, music, literature and film, through programmes such as ART X Live!, ART X Cinema and ART X Talks.
The platform also supports emerging artists through initiatives such as Resonance, The Masterclass, the ART X Prize and The Development Forum, while providing opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration.
Through its activities, ART X Lagos continues to contribute to the development of Africa’s creative industry and promote the continent’s cultural identity on the global stage.
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