ICYMI: Aderemi-Ibitola wins ART X Prize with Access

L-R: Group Head, Corporate Communications, Access Bank, Amaechi Okobi; winner, 2018 edition of the ART X Prize with Access, Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola; and founder-director, ART X Lagos, Tokini Peterside, at the announcement of the 2018 ART X Prize with Access winner in Lagos

ART X Lagos, West Africa’s foremost international art fair, in conjunction with Access Bank, proudly announced Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola as the winner of the 2018 edition of the ‘ART X Prize with Access’ which was instituted to recognise and support the best of emerging Nigerian visual art talent.

Bolatito was chosen from a pool of several dozen applicants by a jury of 5 renowned artists comprising pioneer artist, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya; Turner Prize nominee, Yinka Shonibare, MBE; highly regarded visual artist, Wura-Natasha Ogunji; Honorary Fellow of the University of the Arts, London, Sokari Douglas-Camp; and gallerist and curator, Oliver Enwonwu.

Access Bank’s collaboration with ART X Lagos stems from a mandate to support and contribute to the development of the art sector in Nigeria by investing in Nigerian talent. The sponsorship of the ART X Prize with Access is a partnership that will celebrate, empower and provide vital professional development for a new generation of emerging Nigerian talent.

Founder & Director of ART X Lagos, Tokini Peterside, remarked: “The extraordinarily high quality of work we received speaks volumes of the potential of the art sector in Nigeria. We are delighted to have the privilege to support the prizewinner, Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola, at this pivotal stage in her career.  With certainty that this will propel her forward towards a successful future within the African and global art industry, we look forward to unveiling her ambitious project at ART X Lagos 2018 in November. The project will introduce her to our international audience of critics, collectors and curators from renowned institutions around the world. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Access Bank for their support for this initiative and to our stellar jury for their tireless commitment and generousity to this effort.”

Herbert Wigwe, CEO and Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, opines: “At Access Bank, beyond our vast collection of established artists, we believe that we are also responsible for empowering emerging artists. This is why we continue to support the ART X Prize, to celebrate the ingenuity of Nigeria's emerging art talent. I can see the recipient of the ART X Prize with Access being the next great artist of our time, endowing us with the potential and the privilege to shape the most relevant art that will come out of the African continent.”

L-R: Oliver Enwonwu; Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola; Bruce Onobrakpeya; and Wura-Natasha Ogunji at the announcement of the 2018 ART X Prize with Access winner in Lagos

Aderemi-Ibitola emerged as the winner of the Prize, after live presentations to the jury members, alongside a shortlist that also included two other artists, Ayo Akinwande and Williams Chechet. She’s a trans-disciplinary artist working primarily in time-based art, interactivity and performance. She lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria and earned her Masters in Performance Studies from Tisch School of the Performing Arts, New York University and holds a Bachelor’s in Communication Arts with a focus in Television/Film Production and a minor in Political Science from Allegheny College.

On the selection process, Onobrakpeya comments: “The finalists have demonstrated far-sighted maturity in their presentations, in varied media, with demonstrable projects and feasible proposals. ART X Lagos must be congratulated for its professionalism in organising an international jury to deliberate on the ART X Prize with Access.”

Jury member, Shonibare, also commented: “Aderemi-Ibitola, Chechet and Akinwande have all expressed contemporary cultural concerns in Nigeria through their work. All of the finalists are very strong, so you can imagine what an impossible decision it has been for us! I am very proud to have been part of this exciting process.”

Aderemi-Ibitola will receive invaluable opportunities for networking and mentoring to realize, promote, and contextualize her art project. She will also receive a ₦1million grant towards her project which will be exhibited in a solo presentation at ART X Lagos 2018 from 2nd to 4th November.