About Us

About Us

Founded in 2007, Arthouse Contemporary is an international auction house that specialises in modern and contemporary art from West Africa. Arthouse Contemporary aims to create awareness of the scope of contemporary art in the region, encourage international recognition towards its talented artists and strengthen the economy of the art market in Nigeria. Arthouse Contemporary African art has recently expanded with Arthouse-The Space, which organises exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as the Arthouse Foundation, a non-profit residency-based programme in Lagos.

 

  • Auctions
    Auctions

    Auctions

    Since 2007, Arthouse Contemporary has hosted two auctions a year in Lagos, in May and November respectively. Each edition of the auction features both master works from the modern period and cutting-edge contemporary art from the region’s most celebrated artists. Notable staples at auction include works by Ben Enwonwu, Yusuf Grillo, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Ato Delaquis, Kolade Oshinowo, Abayomi Barber, Gani Odutokun, Ablade Glover, Ben Osawe, and Akinola Lasekan. Contemporary artists regularly featured in auction include El Anatsui, Rom Isichei, Peju Alatise, Sokari Douglas Camp, Lemi Ghariokwu, Uchay Joel Chima, and Diseye Tantua, among others. Arthouse Contemporary’s auctions are hosted at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi and are facilitated by noted auctioneer John Dabney. The auctions also include charity lots that raise money for organisations such as Standard Chartered’s Seeing is Believing, which tackles avoidable blindness, as well as the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and the Arthouse Foundation. In February 2016, Arthouse Contemporary inaugurated a third annual auction series, The Affordable Art Auction, which features artwork scaled to a more affordable and accessible price point.

  • Arthouse – The Space
    Arthouse – The Space

    Arthouse – The Space

    Arthouse-The Space is a satellite initiative of Arthouse Contemporary which organises exhibitions of contemporary art in Nigeria. Since its inception, Arthouse-The Space has organised exhibitions of artists including Victor Ekpuk, Yusuf Grillo, Chidi Kwubiri, Eva Obodo, Emeka Udemba, and George Osodi. Arthouse-The Space also participated in the international art fair, Art14, in London, UK.

  • Arthouse Foundation
    Arthouse Foundation

    Arthouse Foundation

    The Arthouse Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to encourage the creative development of contemporary art in Nigeria, with a artist residency in Lagos. Through a residency-based program, the Arthouse Foundation provides a platform for artists to expand their practice and experiment with new art forms and ideas.

  • Arthouse Online
    Arthouse Online

    Arthouse Online

    Arthouse Online is a platform that showcases new work by contemporary African artists through Internet-based exhibitions and virtual projects.

Meet the Team

Kavita Chellaram
Kavita Chellaram
Founder
Joseph Gergel
Joseph Gergel
Director
Prof Jerry Buhari
Prof Jerry Buhari
Consultant/ Advisor
Sumbo Biobaku-Baderin
Sumbo Biobaku-Baderin
Finance & Operations Manager

Sponsorship Opportunities

Arthouse Contemporary events attract a distinguished group of art collectors, business entrepreneurs, and corporate scions that are intimately invested in the development of the arts community in Nigeria. With previous sponsors including Standard Chartered Bank, Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Ecobank, Kia Motors, Renault, Seven Up, Arra Wines, Wheatbaker Hotel, Veuve Cliquot, Luxeria and Mouton Cadet, among others, sponsoring companies are able to align their business profile with the creative and cultural renaissance in Nigeria while networking with its supporters and patrons.

For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sumbo Biobaku at 08055099096.

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