Zenith Bank Renews Support for African Creativity Through ART X Lagos 2026
Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to Africa’s creative economy through its continued sponsorship of ART X Lagos 2026, one of West Africa’s leading international art fairs.
The bank is supporting the 11th edition of the event, scheduled for November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Federal Palace in Lagos.
This year’s fair adopts the theme, “A New Chapter, A New Decade.” It explores how African artists can draw inspiration from cultural heritage and history while creating new forms of contemporary expression.
Zenith Bank’s sponsorship also covers ART X ICON, an exhibition and masterclass celebrating the legacy of pioneering Nigerian potter, Ladi Kwali.
The partnership reflects the bank’s continued involvement in initiatives that promote African art, support emerging talent and connect local creatives with international audiences.
Zenith Bank Supports Exhibition Honouring Ladi Kwali
A major highlight of the 2026 edition is the ART X ICON exhibition titled Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel.
The exhibition celebrates Ladi Dosei Kwali (1925–1984), whose pottery helped bring Nigerian traditional ceramics to international attention.
Curator Dr Jareh Das conceived and developed the presentation. It brings together ceramics and archival materials from the National Museum in Lagos, alongside works from private collections.
The exhibition examines Kwali’s artistic legacy, the traditions she inherited and the ways she transformed them through her distinctive practice.
It also features works by women potters who worked alongside or after her, including Kande Ushafa and Asibi Ido. Traditional pottery from Gbari, Nupe and Bida communities will also feature.
Through this presentation, ART X ICON explores the relationship between traditional craft and contemporary art. It also highlights the knowledge passed between generations of African makers.
Zenith Bank’s sponsorship supports the exhibition and its accompanying masterclass programme.
Masterclass to Support Emerging African Artists
The ART X ICON Masterclass will create opportunities for emerging artists to engage with established figures in the creative sector.
The programme will select 10 artists for an intensive learning experience during the fair. It welcomes practitioners working across painting, photography, film, sculpture, textiles, performance, digital art, installation and ceramics.
Participants will explore how artists can draw from historical and cultural influences while developing fresh creative approaches.
The programme includes a documentary screening on Ladi Kwali, an ART X Talk and a guided exhibition tour. Selected artists will also take part in a masterclass session with artist Ngozi Omeje-Ezema.
After the in-person sessions, participants will reconvene online to present their work to a jury.
Three winners will receive grants of ₦1.5 million each.
The initiative aims to encourage artistic experimentation, critical thinking and dialogue between established practitioners and emerging talent.
ART X Lagos Enters Its Second Decade
Founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, ART X Lagos has developed into an international platform for contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.
The 2026 edition marks its 11th year and the beginning of its second decade.
Its theme, “A New Chapter, A New Decade,” draws inspiration from Nigerian modernism and the artists, architects, educators and thinkers who shaped the country’s cultural identity.
The programme examines how African artists can use inherited knowledge and traditions to create new artistic expressions.
It also encourages connections between past and present, traditional and contemporary practices, and local creativity and international exchange.
Beyond visual exhibitions, the fair will feature cinema, music, talks, educational activities and other cultural programmes.
These activities will bring together artists, collectors, curators, filmmakers, musicians and audiences from different parts of the world.
Wider Programme Highlights African Creative Talent
ART X Lagos 2026 will feature several programmes designed to showcase different aspects of African creativity.
Art Across Borders, organised in partnership with Afreximbank, will present artists from different regions of the continent.
ART X Cinema will showcase films and audiovisual works by artists from Africa and its diaspora. ART X Live! will also bring musicians and visual artists together through performances.
The fair will host ART X Talks, offering conversations around artistic practice, culture and contemporary issues.
Its educational activities will include the Schools’ Programme, developed with Teach For Nigeria. The initiative draws inspiration from Ladi Kwali’s pottery and explores how everyday objects can carry identity, memory and imagination.
Children and families will also have opportunities to participate in guided tours and interactive creative activities.
Together, these programmes position the fair as a meeting point for artistic expression, education and cultural exchange.
Zenith Bank and the Growth of Africa’s Creative Economy
Zenith Bank’s continued sponsorship highlights the role of private-sector institutions in supporting Africa’s creative industries.
The creative economy provides opportunities across visual arts, music, film, fashion, design and cultural tourism. Events such as ART X Lagos also create platforms for artists to reach collectors, institutions and wider audiences.
Through its support for ART X ICON, the bank is backing a programme that connects Nigeria’s artistic heritage with emerging creative talent.
The 2026 edition will run from November 5 to 8 at the Federal Palace in Lagos.
As ART X Lagos begins its second decade, the partnership places renewed attention on the value of cultural heritage, artistic innovation and opportunities for the next generation of African creatives.
