Art Twenty One, 2023
Lagos, Nigeria is arguably the art hub of Africa. The Megacity is home to Nike Art Gallery, a top tourist site on TripAdvisor and largest art collection (7,000+) in Sub-Saharan Africa; the Lekki Arts and Crafts market; and its not uncommon to see everyday people hawking artworks in traffic jams – a bane of existing here.
On Art Twenty One (ATO), the first time I visited was for “ENIYAN: Escape Room” by Yusuff Aina and that was the same day I checked out “Toys for Troys” by Dauda Mohammed showing at Signature Beyond Art Gallery but that’s a story you can read.
My second visit? You see, this was a swift waka-pass in honour of a decade-old celebration of ATO’s existence.
Art Twenty One was founded by Caline Chagoury Moudaber in 2013. She sought to establish a suitable space for immersive art exhibitions for local and international artists within Lagos. And she won.
After experiencing this marvel of artsy twice, together, we will look at a few must-knows about ATO, including gate fees, best days to visit, and other points of interest.
#1. Free Entry. Eko Hotel & Suites. And Always Check the Gram, Puh-lease
I forgot to add that the decade commemoration was actually my third time at Art Twenty One.
When I was at Eko Hotel & Suites for Moonshot by TechCabal, I stopped by and they showed nothing! As a gallery which often approaches each display as a full-blown exhibition, it’s crucial to note that there will be times when the location is empty or being prepped for an upcoming curation.
To keep up-to-date, I recommend that you visit the official Instagram page of Art Twenty One – @arttwentyone which is frequently updated.
On there, you’d see exhibition dates and times.
Again, ATO is amazingly FREE to enter!
For precision, the art gallery is enclosed within Eko Hotel & Suites, the same location I attended TOR’Q 2023 – the supercharged car drifting, bike showdown, and music event.
Finding Art Twenty One in Three Small Steps ☝️
Location: Plot 1415, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, PMB 12724, Kuramo Waters, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
If you have trouble finding the intimate art corner, try Google Maps and if that still doesn’t work, ask any of the security operatives on site for directions.
#2. There are Levels to Immersive Experiences and ‘Art Twenty One’ is 17/10
Now what would make me say this in the first place?!
When I was there with friends for ENIYAN the floor was covered in coloured granite stones, the faces of walls were painted to accentuate Yusuff Aina’s Hawaiian Tiki statues lookalikes, and an enclosed room played an audio recording of the showing artist on repeat, back-to-back.
It felt special and enlightening.
Unfortunately, photos weren’t allowed inside at the time but here’s a TikTok of Korty at the exhibition.
Read Also: Photos Not Allowed in Art Galleries?! Here is All You Need to Know
My second successful tour of ATO introduced me to a more minimalist and simple, white space. And I could take pictures!
This one was also immersive like the first.
Artworks were labelled appropriately and tagged with medium and a story, and two benches within the room created avenue for in-depth perusal and deep-thinking.
Might I add, ENIYAN showed QR codes which redirected to a PDF explainer of Yusuff’s display and visitors could pin sticky notes or buy art merch like masks and T-shirts!
Talk about immersive, okay?
#3. Depending on You, Avoid Peak Days or Start and End Dates of Art Exhibitions
Let me explain.
Remember I said that Art Twenty One is located in Eko Hotel & Suites. This also means that guests from outer places and within the property may check-in during busy days when you’re likely to speak or engage with artists or showing photographers.
If you want to experience art from just your perspective, take pics for the Gram, or prefer less foot traffic, be sure to visit days after exhibitions officially kick-off, maybe mid-week?
Typically, exhibitions last for more than a month so something in-between could be suitable for lone wolves.
However, if you’d prefer to network and ask personalized questions to art technicians then it may be better to come around on the first few days of exhibitions.
Do you. It’s fine either way, trust me.
Rounding Up
For someone like Yusuff Aina who had been visiting Art Twenty One for years before he took a shot at a solo exhibition, his display ENIYAN was arguably the most ambitious and colourful curation in Lagos, 2023.
The rooms were divided into four distinct spaces separated by specifically hued granite stones painted in-house.
About its success, visitors trooped in so often that the art technicians at ATO started accepting guests indoors in batches at some point. The show was publicized by regular Lagos explorers and popular influencers on social media – TikTok and IG, even when photos were restricted.
I saw it there first.
And on the decade group exhibition, it was breathtaking to see the entire collection which also showed artists like Paa Joe who specialized in crafting coffins identical to daily-use items and conceptual photographers like Namsa Leuba who toured Africa taking portraits of natives doing stuff.
Art Twenty One (visit their website) is a subtle nod by the Management of Eko Hotel & Suites to the thriving Afrocentric art scene. It offers immersive art experiences and is considered one of the best Nigerian sites for such exposure.
Have any word to say about ATO or questions to ask? Kindly mention in the comments below.
They’re open from Tuesday to Saturday, but hey, make sure to be at the 600sqm space between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. sharp!
You gotta check this place out.
I recommend bringing kids to see exhibitions within Art Twenty One on different occasions particularly for the colourful bits.
Art enthusiasts, tourists and families will also find the ambiance enhancing if they want an intimate spot to learn or appreciate African arts and culture.
I would visit ATO again and again because of how special each curation makes me feel.
It’s basically diving into the heads of artists as they thrive for excellence in enriching that aura.
Like I said, 17/10! A strong one.
ERICOTRIPS 
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