Once again, the festive season is here and Christmas is trending big time. The art is equally trending in this season with quality and diverse offerings from across the many genres.
If you are a lover of the arts, especially visual, there are many enthralling exhibitions, amid engaging works to see and artists to appreciate this festive season.
There is no lack of galleries to visit as some are within your vicinity.
To enjoy the festive holiday with the creative minds and hands among us, all you need to do is ask around for galleries, google for information and step out to see what the galleries offer.
But one place to be this season is at Untitled Gallery situated at 57 Raymond Njoku Ikoyi, Lagos.
The gallery is bubbling this season with an exhibition titled ‘Dreaming New Worlds’. The group exhibition, which is boosting the festive art offerings, is enthralling and courtesy of Goethe-Institut, the German cultural organisation. In the exhibition, four groups propose their dreams.
It opened on December 13, 2023 and will last till January 3, 2024, giving art lovers an opportunity to visit to enjoy the best of visual art on display.
As well, Galari by Artmedia Africa, a Lagos-based contemporary art gallery, is hosting art lovers and the general public to an enthralling exhibition titled, ‘Tales of The Inner Man, Gate and Glory’.
The show runs from December 10-30, 2023 at the galley located at Oluwaleimu Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.
Curated by Peter Okotor, the exhibition features recent works by Tobi Adebule, a budding artist.
The solo show is also the second iteration of the exhibition that delves into the complexities of human experience through the exploration of inner narratives, transition, and triumphs. The collection of artworks offers a thoughtful insight into the human mind, the metaphorical interpretations of gates and the celebration of personal triumphs represented with coffins, crowns and gates.
It showcases two-part exhibit; Heavy Laden and Okun Owo and is carefully curated between the gallery and the public space to evoke deep emotions, self-contemplation and promote diverse engagement.
Adding to the excitement, four artists are storming Soto Gallery this season.
They opened the festive season’s art show with ‘Introspection’, a joint exhibition at the Ikoyi, Lagos-based Soto Gallery.
The artists include; Chukwumereogo Okeke, Emmanuel Ifoegbuike, Adaoma Nnabeze, and Simon Iloani, majority of whom are undergraduates from the Visual Arts Department of University of Nigeria Nsukka and an artist represented by SOTO Gallery.
They participated in the SOTO Residency, an artist-focused initiative aimed at deepening artistic practice.
The works from the residency are what the artists are presenting at the exhibition.
The exhibition opened on December 1, 2023 and runs until January 6, 2024 at SOTO Gallery, # 10 Omo Osagie Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.
From visual, the festive offerings are further enriched by theatrical shows.
Top among the theatre offerings is Saro the Musical. The enthralling musical from the stables of Bolanle Austen-Peters Production (BAP), returns with the experience of the hilarious chaos of Lagos.
The well-written and perfectly delivered theatrical performance is returning on stage this festive season under the direction of Bolanle Austen-Peters, Nigerian foremost stage/movie producer and director. It will stage at Terra Kulture Arena, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos on December 22, 24, 26, 29 and 30, 2023. It will also open in the new year on January 1 and 2, 2024, from 3pm to 7pm daily.
One reason to see the musical is because it is celebrating its 10th anniversary on stage this year, amid amazing cast members.
There are also many theatrical performances at the National Theatre Iganmu Lagos, in Abuja, Port Harcourt among other venues across the country.
You can also visit Omenka Gallery. It is a leading art gallery on 24 Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi. At the gallery, visitors enjoy a fine selection of works of established and emerging contemporary Nigerian and international artists working in diverse media.
The good thing about visiting the gallery is that it is located just by the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and hence offers a fresh breeze amid tranquil atmosphere. It also hosts a restaurant overlooking the ocean and under tree shade.
You can also visit The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi to see breathtaking artworks by upcoming and established Nigerian artists.
You must not take a room at the premiere luxury boutique hotel before you feast your eyes on the creative works of Nigerian artists because The Wheatbaker is at the forefront of contemporary Nigerian art with its robust and innovative art exhibitions all year round since it opened its doors in 2011.
Again, Alexis Galleries in Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island, Lagos is worth visiting. The gallery has supported Nigerian artists and art for over 10 years and running, hence has enough to thrill you on a visit. It also offers a café and relaxation lounge.
Besides these galleries, you can visit Nike Art Gallery in Lekki, National Museum Onikan, Mydrim in Ikoyi, Pantheon Art Gallery in Lekki Phase 1, among others to feast your eyes on creative ingenuity of master visual artists and emerging ones.
As well, movie lovers have enough to feast their eyes and enjoy at the many cinemas in town that showcase blockbuster movies this Christmas.
From Genesis, Silverbird in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and especially Filmhouse IMAX Lekki on Bisola Durosinmi Etti, Lekki Phase 1, there are many reasons to glue the eyes on the screen this festive season.
Now you have a variety of offerings, there is no excuse not to enjoy this festive season with the arts.
Merry Christmas!
