Lagos Photo Festival's private preview event held at the African Artists' Foundation was a true sensory delight. Adhering to the theme 'Passports', attendees experienced performances and viewed pieces that transported us across borders. 
The boundaries between culture and art were thoroughly blurred as we witnessed an exemplary performance by the iconic artist; Jelili Atiku - who demonstrated rites performed by a dog-headed ritualist with idols and paints as props. What eventually became clear, is that as a result of the rites conducted with the props -the subject himself became a work of art. It was an intriguing demonstration that caused me to contemplate the degree to which cultural art was intended to be appreciated or whether the artistic results that are so valued now, was simply a by-product of the traditions of the time...

We watched international short films, some about love in its different forms including, physical connections, romantic yearning, as well as some somber, compassionate illuminations of those deprived, oppressed and abused. We were treated to images depicting the juxtaposition of geographical symbols and religious references. The walls were aesthetically adorned with deeply meaningful reflections and interpretations that invited us to consider connections, similarities, and differences. 
The night was closed by Seun Kuti's highly entertaining performance, the energy that emanated from the vibrations of the fire dancers’ derrieres had everybody up on their feet to partake in the party atmosphere! All in all, I give my compliments and congratulations to all the artists who presented and performed their work. I hope that artists like those at the African Artists’ Foundation/LagosPhoto continue to find platforms that support them, such as CAX (the Creative African Exchange) who aim to not only support artists but provide them with access to distributors, investors and shareholders in the creative art industry, who have the means to allow their work to be seen and made available in the international markets. 

The evening was a brilliant success and has certainly ignited anticipation for what the rest of the festival has in store!

Written by Sarah Wahab

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