Pictures from the opening of the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos

CCA,Lagos Art Reference Library


A prayerful start to the opening of CCA,Lagos


Mrs Rosiji, Coolest 'Mother of the Day'


Guest of Honour and art collector, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi

It was an evening of charged emotions but also of immense joy. Finally the Centre for Contemporary Art that I have working on all year opened. Here are some pics from the opening reception which was well attended by artists, collectors, family and friends.

The idea for the CCA,Lagos started with the need to have a functioning art library and a meeting place for artists in Lagos that did not just focus on commercial activities. The state of libraries in Nigeria are at an all time low and it can be depressing visiting some of the libraries in the universities which have little or no books or publications. This undoubtedly has affected the level of critically engaged work in the country and many talented artists continue to make work in very difficult conditions.

CCA,Lagos consists of one of the first independent specialist - visual art and culture - libraries in Nigeria if not the West African region. My hope is that others will take up the gauntlet so that it does not remain the only one in the region. Without access to relevant information and knowledge it will be difficult to develop the art and culture sector in the way it should exist.


Curator,Bisi Silva and Artist,Ghariokwu Lemi


Distinguished Guest Artist Bruce Onobrakpeya opening the exhibition, Fela, Ghariokwu Lemi and The Art of The Album Cover


Artist, Lemi saying a few words to the guests at the opening.