For Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, art has always been more than an industry—it is a way of imagining the future. Nearly ten years ago, she channeled that belief into ART X Lagos, a fair that has since become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s cultural calendar and a touchstone for contemporary African art worldwide. Under her direction, the fair has helped spark Lagos’s rise as a global cultural hub, fostering dialogue across disciplines and connecting African artists with audiences far beyond the continent.
As ART X Lagos prepares to celebrate its milestone 10th edition this November, themed “Imagining Otherwise, No Matter the Tide,” Peterside-Schwebig reflects on the risks, rewards, and revelations of building an artistic community in Lagos—and what it means to champion African creativity on the world stage. In a conversation with DakArtNews, she looks back on a decade of transformation, while sharing her hopes for the next generation of artists, curators, and cultural leaders who will shape the future.
The 10th edition of ART X Lagos, taking place November 6–9, 2025, is themed “Imagining Otherwise, No Matter The Tide.” How does this theme reflect the fair’s evolution over the past decade, and what specific hopes do you have for how it will inspire artists and audiences to reimagine the future of Lagos and African urban centers?
The theme, “Imagining Otherwise, No Matter The Tide,” captures the very spirit of ART X Lagos—our ten-year journey has always been about daring to envision futures beyond the immediate, despite challenges or prevailing tides. For me, it requires us to look at our present but see beyond it. We all know the troubles that our societies face, so this year’s theme is looking at how artists and creators can create spaces, experiences, and conversations for us that can help us to go beyond that. As the city and continent have rapidly evolved, so has our ambition to catalyze new perspectives. My hope is that this theme emboldens artists and audiences to exercise their agency—to imagine better futures for Lagos and other African (and global) urban centers, recognizing creativity’s immense power to shape more connected, healthy, and thriving societies.
Over the past ten years, ART X Lagos has grown from a local initiative to a global platform, hosting artists from over 70 countries. What do you see as the most transformative change in the African art ecosystem during this period, and how has the fair contributed to this shift?
The past decade has seen a dramatic transformation: African art has shifted from the periphery to the center of global conversations, with Lagos becoming an essential art capital. ART X Lagos played a key role—by providing a world-class platform that has enabled hundreds of artists from over 70 countries to connect with new audiences, markets, and opportunities. The fair’s multidisciplinary programming, and commitment to community has been part of a cultural revolution, making African creators visible, celebrated, and empowered.
The 2025 edition features special projects by artists like J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, Nengi Omuku, and Temitayo Ogunbiyi, curated by Missla Libsekal. How do these artists’ works embody the fair’s mission to bridge historical and contemporary African narratives, and what new perspectives do they bring to this milestone year?
Artists like J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, Nengi Omuku, and Temitayo Ogunbiyi exemplify how our history informs the present—each brings unique narratives that span generations and aesthetics, curated by Missla Libsekal for this milestone edition. Their work bridges tradition and innovation- with Nengi she mixes the use of vintage sanyan aso-oke material with those she commissions in her studio. Temitayo explores the connection between play and the importance of shared spaces.
With Ojeikere, local memory and global dialogue is focal in his stunning photography that spans decades telling the story of Lagos through the city and its people. Through these commissions, we present the wide spectrum of African creativity and invite our audiences to reflect on how the continent’s past and present can reframe the future.
The introduction of Resonance, the new residency program with the Embassy of France and Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, marks a bold step for ART X Lagos. How do you envision this initiative shaping the next generation of Nigerian artists and curators, and what role does international collaboration play in your vision for the fair’s future?
The Resonance residency, in partnership with the Embassy of France and Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, represents our commitment to deep, meaningful international exchange. By offering Nigerian artists, curators, and designers three transformative months in Paris—with mentorship, resources, and networks—we open doors for them to deepen their practice and expand their global perspectives. International collaboration is not just aspirational, but vital: it accelerates artistic growth, enriches local scenes, and situates African voices confidently on the world stage
ART X Lagos has sparked Nigeria’s art week and positioned Lagos as a global cultural hub. As you celebrate a decade of impact, what strategies will you employ to ensure the fair remains a sustainable platform for African creativity amid economic and social challenges in Nigeria and beyond?
What ART X Lagos did at the start was to encourage the emergence of so many exhibitions, festivals, events, and openings such that our city presented to itself and to the rest of the world, all of its potential. We’ve grown from maybe half a dozen events in the first year to over 50 events now surrounding ART X Lagos. What that is yielding for creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses is extraordinary. It was not an accidental happening. It was my dream from day one. We prioritized cultivating strong partnerships, diversifying our programming to accommodate all audiences, and staying attuned to the needs of our community—artists, galleries, collectors, and the public and ensured they felt empowered to do the same.
My vision is to deepen this sense of agency, collaboration, and shared purpose for African art worldwide.
The 10th edition includes returning programs like ART X Live!, ART X Cinema, and ART X Talks, alongside the fifth edition of Art Across Borders. How do these multidisciplinary platforms reflect your philosophy of art as a catalyst for cultural dialogue, and what innovations can we expect in 2025?
Our programs—ART X Live!, ART X Cinema, ART X Talks, and Art Across Borders—reflect the belief that creativity flourishes through intersection and dialogue. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, we spark new forms of expression and expand the impact of art. For 2025, audiences can expect even bolder projects, new and recognised voices, and immersive experiences that celebrate the richness and diversity of creativity within Africa and the diaspora.
Looking back on a decade of ART X Lagos, what has been the most unexpected or rewarding moment for you personally as its founder, and how has it shaped your vision for the next ten years of championing African art on the global stage?
The most rewarding moments have come from witnessing artists gain life-changing opportunities—winning major prizes, exhibiting abroad, or finding their voices through our platforms. I did not foresee the extent of the true community—a movement—that has emerged around ART X Lagos so powerfully. ART X Lagos has become a place where we gather, dialogue, commune, exchange, build, and we recommit. It’s a home for us, by us. This experience affirms my belief that when creativity leads and communities connect, extraordinary growth is possible. As we look ahead to the next decade, my vision is to deepen this sense of agency, collaboration, and shared purpose for African art worldwide.
Bridging Africa and The World Through Contemporary Art 
Leave a comment