Lagos exhibition creates market for artists

A new Christian art exhibition in Lagos is seeking to create a platform for artists to showcase and sell their work while building a broader ecosystem around faith-based art.

The exhibition, themed “Creation Speaks,” will open on October 15 and run for two weeks, with organisers expecting close to 200 artists to participate.

The initiative involves the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, and Fobally Art World Africa. Organisers are positioning the exhibition as more than a showcase of religious works, with plans to create opportunities for artists to reach new audiences, sell their work and connect with established practitioners.

At a recent press conference in Lagos, National Elder of RCCG and Chief Executive Officer of Saviorite Ventures Limited, Pastor Jide Aiyegbusi, described the exhibition as an opportunity to use art to celebrate creation and glorify God.

“The purpose of the exhibition is to honour the name of God, to glorify the name of God,” Aiyegbusi said.

The exhibition will feature works by artists selected through an open call, with organisers considering factors including creativity, medium and how closely the works align with the theme.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fobally Art World Africa, Mrs Folashade Abiola, said the initiative was also designed to address gaps in market access for artists.

Many artists, particularly emerging practitioners, struggle to secure exhibition space and reach buyers, she explained. The new platform will allow participants to display their works before a wider audience, with the artworks available for sale.

The organisers said more than 100 artists had registered through the open-call process, with participation expected to reach about 200 when the selection process is completed.

The initiative will also place emphasis on young artists, providing opportunities for them to interact with more established practitioners and gain exposure to different aspects of the creative industry.

Pastor Trevor Akindele, representing the Pastor in Charge of RCCG City of David, Pastor Kayode Pitan, described the exhibition as an opportunity to encourage young people with an interest in the arts.

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“We have a massive youth fellowship, and there are many of these young and ready youth who have a flair,” Akindele said.

“This will be a platform for them to be encouraged and inspired.”

Beyond the exhibition itself, the church intends to use the event as an outreach programme, inviting members of the surrounding community to experience the artworks and interact with participants.

The organisers are also looking to create an environment where established artists can mentor younger practitioners, helping to strengthen the creative network around Christian art.

For Abiola, the immediate priority is to establish the platform before expanding its ambitions.

“We are just starting,” she said. “Let’s start from here, and as we go on, the Holy Spirit will be with us.”

The organisers have not ruled out taking the exhibition beyond Lagos in future editions, although specific expansion plans have yet to be announced.

The event brings together religious institutions, artists and the commercial side of the creative industry, with the organisers hoping to create a sustainable platform where Christian artists can exhibit, sell, network and develop their careers.

Aiyegbusi stated that the exhibition is ultimately intended to use art as a means of communicating faith and the Christian understanding of creation.

“We believe that God is still speaking,” he said, referring to the exhibition’s theme and its focus on creation.

With nearly 200 artists expected to participate, “Creation Speaks” is being positioned as a starting point for a wider Christian art ecosystem in Lagos, combining exhibition, sales, mentorship and community engagement.