10 of Lagos' Top Art Galleries
This is the 50th year that Lagos officially became one of the states in Nigeria, and within that period it has managed to garner a lot of what Nigeria has to offer in terms of arts. The following are some of the best galleries that can be found within its borders.
ReLe Gallery
Since 2010, ReLe Gallery has been on the Lagos art scene and they are well known for their unconventional art salons and installations. In 2015 the gallery finally opened its doors for business at Onikan, Lagos Mainland. They hold regular exhibitions and have triggered the interest of young Nigerians in the visual arts. Their events are usually well attended and they are presently considered the sexiest place to see and be seen by young Nigerians. The gallery also has a space where upcoming artists are nurtured.
Yusuf Grillo Art Gallery
Located within one of Nigeria’s foremost schools of arts, Yaba College of Technology, the gallery is a memorial to Yusuf Grillo, a Nigerian artist known for his unusual painting style and whose signature is the color blue, which is used prominently in his all works. The gallery not only holds exhibitions for the talented students that populate the school, it also hosts exhibitions for master artists and provides a space where upcoming talents are nurtured.
Omenka Gallery
Established in 2003, Omenka Gallery has become a home to Nigerian arts, both vintage and contemporary. They hold one of the biggest and best collections of art by the renowned artist Ben Enwowu. The gallery also doubles as a museum and holds musical evenings and book signings.
Terra Kulture
Self-described as an art, culture, lifestyle, and educational center, Terra Kulture is one of the major attractions on the Island and since its inception, has established itself as a go-to place for the art lover. The gallery features mostly Nigerian contemporary artists.
Nike Art Gallery
Run by the world-renowned artist and designer Nike Davies Okundaye, the gallery is much more than the space it occupies. The gallery is famous for its Adire, Batik, and indigo artworks on fabric (Okundaye’s art mediums). It has several centers around Nigeria and takes on students who learn beadwork, tie and dye, drumming, and other crafts.
Mydrim Gallery
Established in 1992, Mydrim is unabashed about its passion for the beauty and richness expressed through African art. With a leaning towards art that portrays everyday lives in Nigeria, Mydrim is an ideal place to explore the people through the eyes of creatives.
Red Door Gallery
The gallery has come to establish itself as a space for the unconventional. They are exclusively focused on African art and provide artists with a platform for creativity beyond social boundaries. They also provide consultancy services for art collectors and valuation of art pieces. The gallery presently owns one of the largest private art spaces in Nigeria.
Nimbus Art Centre
This is a gallery that combines an outdoor restaurant and live music stage in a space created for both the artsy and art buyer. Aside from a space that can be rented out for art exhibitions, the gallery also provides art valuation, advisory, and auctioneering services.
Signature Beyond Art Gallery
Dedicated to promoting African art, the gallery offers more than just a space for traditional arts, they also have displays of artsy furniture and home accessories. They also offer installations and sculptures. Established in 1992, the gallery attracts an older crowd but they hold private exhibitions of contemporary art for young African artists.
Universal Studio of Arts
Situated at the National Theatre in Iganmu, the studio is the largest collection of visual artists and sculptors in one single space in Nigeria. Aside from the wide array of arts that can be obtained by the economical art collector, the space is also a place to catch young, upcoming artists.