In brief
Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, has been transformed into an 'open-air gallery' as it hosts its first street art festival. Artists believe public art enhances community interaction and hope, showcasing the vibrant local culture through diverse murals across the city. The festival aims to make art accessible, with works displayed on bustling streets like Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue. The event runs until December 15, featuring both local and international artists.
Parts of Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, have been turned into an 'open-air gallery', in the words of the organisers of the city's first street art festival. 'We believe art shouldn't be confined to galleries and museums,' Osa Okunkpolor, a Nigerian graffiti artist known as Osa Seven, and one of the festival's founders, told Reuters news agency. 'Public art allows people to interact with creativity in their everyday environment. It's about giving hope and showing what art can do to shape society.' The colourful artwork is located on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, a lively street in Victoria Island. Many artists, including Babalola Oluwafemi from Manchester, have contributed murals that reflect Lagos's love of life, parties, and cultural pride. This festival, running until December 15, hopes to raise awareness of the transformative power of street art in the region.
