The 2023 edition of ART X Lagos was wrapped up on September 5, 2023, with an inspiring and diverse exhibition of art and culture. One of the standout initiatives this year was the launch of the very first ART X Library. This new library serves to provide access to contemporary Nigerian art to anyone interested in the subject.
Located at the heart of the fair, the ART X Library, in partnership with the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos (CCA Lagos), provided visitors with a dedicated reading room to contemplate pressing questions about archiving and reviving evidence in our ever-changing world. From essential topics such as Pan-Africanism, colonialism, and decolonization to modernism, critical theory, and African cinema, the library boasts a vast collection of publications, exhibitions, and journals that cover a wide range of subjects.
Thanks to the unique resources of the CCA Lagos Library, one of the largest independent specialist libraries in Africa, the ART X Library is a significant archive and educational hub for artists and students alike. With over 7,000 books, magazines, videos, and other ephemera, the library provides a vital resource for researchers, professionals, and all those interested in the African art and cultural sector.
Established in 2007 by Bisi Silva (1962–2019), the CCA Lagos is a nonprofit, independent visual art organisation dedicated to promoting contemporary visual art and culture. With the ART X Library, the CCA Lagos continues to play a crucial role in preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Africa and providing a platform for critical dialogue and discussion.
The ART X Lagos 2023 may have come to a close, but the impact of the ART X Library will continue to be felt long after. We look forward to seeing the ART X Library grow and evolve in the future and remain a fundamental resource for the African art and cultural community.
