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Lagos street art festival turns city into open-air gallery
Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, is hosting its first street art festival, transforming a major avenue into a public exhibition space. Organizers describe the event as an "open-air gallery" aimed at making art accessible beyond traditional venues.
Art beyond galleries
Osa Okunkpolor, a Nigerian graffiti artist known as Osa Seven and a festival co-founder, told Reuters that public art allows people to engage with creativity in their daily lives. "It's about giving hope and showing what art can do to shape society," he said.
The festival features works along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, a bustling street in Victoria Island, the heart of Lagos.
Street art's growing visibility in Nigeria
While Lagos is celebrated for its vibrant arts scene, nightlife, and creativity, street art remains less prominent compared to other African nations. Painter Ernest Ibe told AFP that visibility is still a challenge, but the country is evolving. "We are beginning to understand the impact of social murals and how they affect us socially and environmentally," he said.
Artists capture Lagos' spirit
Nigerian artist Babalola Oluwafemi, who traveled from Manchester, UK, contributed a mural depicting the city's love for celebration. "I'm just showing how Lagos people love to party, eat, and embrace color," she told AFP. Her work features a peacock, a symbol of beauty and pride in Nigerian art.
Ashaolu Oluwafemi, 34, another participating artist, highlighted the city's resilience. "Lagos is a place of joy and struggle. Even in hardship, people find ways to be happy," he said.
Festival details and international participation
The festival opened on Wednesday and runs until Monday, December 15. While most artists are Nigerian, Ottograph traveled from Amsterdam to contribute a mural.
Visitors have reacted positively, with passersby praising the works amid the city's busy traffic and energy.
