Nigeria’s contemporary art scene has gained global recognition in recent years and this has led to increased interest in arts and has also created more exposure for Nigerian artists. As Nigeria’s social capital, Lagos houses some of the best art galleries in Nigeria for people to explore and learn about African talents and arts. If you are looking to visit an art gallery in Lagos, here is an updated list of the top art galleries in Lagos in 2024:
Ko Art Space
Launched by Kavita Chellaram, an art collector and founder of Arthouse Contemporary, Ko Art Space focuses on celebrating emerging and established contemporary artists across Africa and the diaspora. Despite being a relatively small gallery, it is a very exciting space with unique contemporary artworks.
Location: Flat 2, 36 Cameron Road, Ikoyi
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays | 11 am- 6 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: 07030728371
Art Twenty-One
Art Twenty-One, located within Eko Hotels & Suites is a modern art gallery that is dedicated to contemporary art and design and exhibiting works from artists across the continent. It is perfect for art exhibitions in Lagos and can also be considered one of the more exclusive art galleries in Lagos.
Location: 1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays | 10 am- 6 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: info@art21lagos.com
Affinity Art Gallery
Affinity Gallery is a modern art gallery dedicated to the promotion and celebration of artists who are passionate about sharing the African narrative with their works with the goal of educating people about the rich cultural heritage of Africa.
Location: 1-7 Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays | 11 am – 6 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: 08097907705
Nike Art Gallery
Nike Art Gallery is an OG art gallery known by most Lagosians with an interest in art. This is one of the largest and most comprehensive art galleries in West Africa known for more traditional African art and crafts. Aside from artworks, this spot is known for other crafts, including natural indigo dyeing, weaving, painting and even sculptures. Nike Davies Okundaye founded this gallery in 2009 with the primary aim of positively transforming the underexplored craft scene in Lagos.
Location: 2 Oba Yekini Elegushi Road, Lekki Phase 1
Opening Hours: 10 am-6 pm Mon-Sat 1 pm-6 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: 08034096656
O’da Art Gallery
O’da Art Gallary was created with the main goal of elevating those in the middle of their careers and establishing modern-day artists from Africa and its environs. Hence, this gallery is filled with all kinds of artistic themes you can explore, such as identity, technology, political commentary, social consciousness, and environmental change.
Location: 10 Sir Samuel Manuwa Street, Victoria Island
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays | 11 am- 6 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: 09061816077
ReLe Gallery
Rele Gallery, founded by Adenrele Sonariwo, an art curator, is part of the Rele Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization. This is the first African gallery to open in Los Angeles and has also been around in Lagos for a while. Rele Gallery is known for its high-quality art and its work with artists to bring top-notch craft to the gallery.
Location: 32d Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays | 11 am- 6 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: art@rele.co
Omenka Gallery
Founded in 2003 by Oliver Enwonwu, the son of Ben Enwonwu (1917-1994), one of Nigeria’s leading 20th-century modernists, Omenka Gallery offers a personal experience of the late artist’s work in a unique way. This gallery is also known for the exhibition of artworks in Lagos by several emerging and established African artists.
Location: 24 Modupe Alakija Crescent, Ikoyi
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays | 11 am- 6 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: 09090846991
Tiwani Contemporary
This gallery, which is over a decade old, is known for representing international contemporary artists from Africa and its diaspora, which is why it is popularly described as a diaspora consult. Its location in Victoria Island, Lagos is one of its newest additions, which opened up in February 2022. Tiwani Contemporary is a gallery that boasts of year-round programme of solo and group exhibitions at each of its locations.
Location: 13 Elsie Femi Pearse Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays | 11 am- 6 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: info@tiwani.co.uk
Art is an expression of people, and it is a great way to learn about the beauty, culture and experiences of a certain group of people in your community across different times. If you’d like to see art exhibitions in Lagos or learn more about art generally, any of these recommended spots will help you achieve that
