Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s creative and cultural industry through the continued sponsorship of ART X Lagos 2026, scheduled to hold from November 5 to 8 at the Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The bank, returning as a Silver Sponsor for the 11th edition, is building on its support for the fair’s landmark 10th anniversary in 2025, reinforcing 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 a leading international platform for contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, bringing together artists, galleries, collectors and cultural institutions from across the world.
The fair has featured artists and galleries from more than 70 countries, attracting visitors from 170 nations and strengthening the global visibility of African creativity.
The 2026 edition, themed “A New Chapter, A New Decade,” will explore the contributions of artists, architects, educators and thinkers who shaped modernism in Nigeria, while examining how cultural heritage can inspire new artistic expressions and possibilities for the future.
As part of its sponsorship, Zenith Bank will support two major programmes: ART X ICON and The Masterclass, both designed to promote cultural preservation and nurture emerging creative talents.
This year’s ART X ICON will celebrate pioneering Nigerian potter Ladi Dosei Kwali (1925–1984) through an exhibition titled Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel, conceived and developed by curator Dr Jareh Das.
Kwali, whose portrait appears on Nigeria’s N20 banknote, is renowned for her contribution to Nigerian ceramics and her role in taking traditional Nigerian pottery to international prominence.
The exhibition will feature ceramics and archival materials from the National Museum in Lagos, alongside works from private collections, offering insights into her life, artistic practice and enduring influence.
It will also showcase works by women potters who worked alongside and after Kwali, including Kande Ushafa and Asibi Ido, as well as traditional pottery from Gbari, Nupe and Bida communities.
The exhibition is expected to highlight the indigenous artistic traditions that influenced Kwali, her innovations in pottery and the cultural knowledge sustained by subsequent generations.
Complementing the exhibition, The Masterclass will bring emerging artists into conversations around Kwali’s legacy, particularly the relationship between traditional artistic knowledge and contemporary creative practice.
The programme will select 10 emerging artists across disciplines, including painting, sculpture, photography, film, textiles, digital art, performance and ceramics, providing opportunities for engagement with established creative practitioners.
Speaking on the partnership, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, said the bank recognises the importance of preserving cultural heritage while investing in the talents shaping the future of the creative industry.
She said the continued partnership reflects Zenith Bank’s commitment to supporting platforms that celebrate African artistic excellence, strengthen cultural institutions and create opportunities for emerging creatives.
According to her, the bank remains committed to initiatives that unlock the economic and cultural value of Nigeria’s creative industry and enhance the global recognition of African creativity.
Also commenting, Founder and Director of ART X Lagos, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, expressed appreciation for the bank’s continued support as the fair enters its second decade.
She noted that partnerships with organisations such as Zenith Bank are critical to sustaining the fair’s vision, expanding its impact and creating lasting opportunities for African creativity to thrive internationally.
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.
These include Ndidi Dike’s Residues of Past Encounters: 2024–2026, The ART X Library and Speakers’ Corner.
The wider programme will also feature ART X Cinema, ART X Live!, ART X Talks, Art Across Borders and the Schools’ Programme, showcasing the diversity of contemporary creative expressions from Africa and its diaspora.
Zenith Bank’s continued involvement underscores the growing role of financial institutions in supporting Nigeria’s creative economy through investments in cultural platforms, artistic development and opportunities for young talents.
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