This February, Lagos becomes the centre of African art history as The Art of African Modernism: Masterpieces of Nigerian Modernism opens at Alliance Française de Lagos, bringing together rare and historically significant works that shaped the foundations of contemporary African art.
Curated by O. Paul Andrew and presented by Art|Zero and Museum of Modern and Contemporary African Art London (MoMCAAL), the exhibition gathers masterworks influenced by the Osogbo, Nsukka, Ife, Enugu, and Yaba traditions, movements that defined a distinctly Nigerian visual language rooted in indigenous philosophy, symbolism, and culture.
Long before international attention turned to African contemporary art, Nigerian modernists were already forging new ways of seeing and representing identity, culture, and modernity. This exhibition repositions those pioneers not as footnotes, but as foundational voices whose influence continues to shape artists today.
“These works are not relics,” says Andrew. “They are living texts that continue to inform the direction of African contemporary art.”
Featuring works by leading figures including Lamidi Fakeye, Georgina Beier, Twin Seven-Seven, Rufus Ogundele, Chike Aniakor, and Abayomi Barber, the showcase offers audiences a rare opportunity to encounter these seminal pieces together in one space.
The presentation positions Lagos as a meeting point of legacy and innovation, where history is preserved, celebrated, and experienced firsthand.
The exhibition runs from 14–28 February 2026, with a private preview on 13 February. Admission is open daily to the public from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM at Alliance Française de Lagos, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi.
The media, collectors, scholars, and the tastemakers are invited to experience this rare convergence of works that continue to shape the story of African modern and contemporary art.
Art|Zero is a contemporary art platform dedicated to presenting, documenting, and advancing African and diaspora artistic practices through exhibitions, research, and cultural programming. The organisation works with artists, collectors, and institutions to elevate African art within global discourse.
MoMCAAL (Museum of Modern & Contemporary African Art, London) is committed to preserving and promoting the legacy of African modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, scholarship, and institutional partnerships, fostering deeper engagement with Africa’s art histories worldwide.
