Ecobank, Soto Gallery empower Nigerian artists
Ecobank Nigeria has partnered with Soto Gallery to present the second edition of the +234 Art Fair, which will empower local artists to tap into the lucrative $62bn global art sector.
Speaking to journalists about the commencement of the fair on Wednesday, the Head of SME, Partnerships and Collaboration at Ecobank Nigeria, Omoboye Odu, emphasised the bank’s commitment to ensuring Nigerian artists benefit from the global art trade, both for revenue generation and the promotion of the country’s culture.
She noted that the global art market is estimated at around $62bn, with a significant portion originating from America.
Ecobank Nigeria has been supporting the creative industry in Nigeria with multiple initiatives to drive economic growth, well-being, and global connectivity.
Odu clarified that while Ecobank is a financial institution, its role in promoting art includes providing financial and corporate governance guidance to help Nigerian artists achieve global prominence.
Odu said the fair is aimed at pushing local artists on the global scene.
“As a pan-African bank, Ecobank Nigeria is focused on solving the financial inclusion challenge in Africa, and we are working to ensure that Africa has a key place in the global art market. We are looking at how we ensure that Nigerian artists who are the most popular in Africa are well represented,” she said.
The +234 Art Fair, curated by Soto Gallery, will take place at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) between March 27 and 31, 2025.
The founder of the fair and Soto Gallery, Tola Akerele, explained that the event aims to provide artists with a clear understanding of their position in the local, regional, and international art markets.
The theme for this year’s fair is ‘Championing Patronage in Nigerian Art’. The event will feature a range of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, and fireside chats with industry experts. These sessions are designed to equip artists with a deeper understanding of the business aspects of art.
Akerele highlighted the ambition to elevate emerging and un-galleried Nigerian artists so they can contribute to and benefit from the economy. She emphasised that the initiative is about promoting Nigerian culture, heritage, and the creative economy.
“We see Nigerian art being demanded globally. The quality of Nigerian artists is definitely the best in Africa. So, it is a part of them to like leapfrog and excel from the starting point for them. Since they are emerging artists, the prices are lower than your typical global exhibitions because they are young, but they are good. We had over 1000 applications for this fair, and we went through every single application and selected 140 artists that are the best in the country,” stated Akerele.
The event is expected to attract Nigerians from all walks of life, Africans and non-Africans residing in Nigeria, top government officials, policymakers, members of the diplomatic corps, and global art enthusiasts.
+234Art is an international art exhibition curated by Soto Gallery, in partnership with Ecobank Nigeria Limited and Africa Finance Corporation. The inaugural edition took place last year, and the fair, with free entry, seeks to offer an immersive showcase of painting, photography, and sculpture.
