Ayodele Olofintuade
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.