What if everyone had access to owning a work of art as opposed to it being a luxury for a select few? This question has driven a dramatic transformation in Nigeria’s art scene, and possibly, the whole West Africa. The emergence of print galleries are breaking down traditional barriers and opening up new possibilities for both artists and art lovers.
West Africa’s first print gallery, Fresco gallery has been at the forefront of this exciting transformation. By providing high-quality prints at affordable prices, they are redefining what it means to own and appreciate art in Nigeria. Fresco Gallery has played a crucial role in expanding the reach of art to a broader audience. This change goes even beyond making art more accessible; it also fosters new conversations between audiences and artists.
As this concept embraces modern trends, most artworks that draw on traditional techniques, stories, motifs and vision are reinterpreted through this contemporary lens. The fusion of both old and new enriches our heritage while also drawing a greater appreciation to art.
Their current exhibition “Anchors” is showing from Saturday, August 10 to Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Miliki, 7B Etim Inyang Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In this interview, More Branches sits down with Fresco Gallery’s founder, Ima Ekpo as we unravel the story on how they have navigated the system in pioneering a new art movement and their contribution towards a more vibrant and inclusive art world.
What was the driving force behind starting Fresco Gallery?
Accessibility, I felt the need to inspire more art lovers that would otherwise shy away from collecting. Beyond the investment value of an art space, art brings joy and beauty into any space or home. We wanted art lovers to access this while still feeling like they’re buying “serious” art. Following the African art boom in 2020/2021, African artists gained international success driving their artwork prices up, so I wanted more people to be able to access art from the artists they’ve grown to love.
What’s the importance of print galleries, particularly in African contexts?
I think as African artists achieve global success and reach, their works become less accessible to longtime fans of their work or young/aspiring collectors, especially those in a developing economy like ours. Limited edition prints allow young collectors to buy into African artists they love, and these artists get to experience more people connecting to their work. In addition to the economic benefit they receive from print sales which can be quite significant.
How can contemporary artists leverage the existence of a print gallery like Fresco gallery?
Our collaboration with each artist is different. Artists curious about selling prints or exploring printmaking techniques can think of Fresco as a potential collaborator and platform to promote and present their prints to art lovers in Nigeria and globally.
How does it feel to be in your position as the first print gallery in Nigeria and West Africa?
Prints by African artists are being sold globally by galleries and print shops in more advanced art markets. We are happy to do this on the continent. It’s important to mention that print platforms and online marketplaces have existed in Nigeria prior to us. However, Fresco is operating as a gallery with physical exhibitions, curatorial focus, artist support, and scheduled programming–online and in-person. We are the first to do this.
What has running a print gallery taught you about the African art scene?
There is so much untapped potential and room to grow. I’ve met a lot of well-known and well-collected artists who have a print practice that no one knows about. The narrative is that most Nigerian galleries don’t show prints because Nigerian collectors don’t buy prints. So we’ve become this space where they can show that practice. We get a lot of messages to this effect.
I think every gallery is allowed to have its own ethos and values, showing prints isn’t the only way to be accessible or reach new collectors, the point I’m trying to make is there is so much more to show and experiment with, and that’s exciting!
Do you see your work as encouragement for the next generation of collectors to participate in the art market?
Absolutely! That’s our primary objective. Art is for everyone, whether it’s art for beauty or art as an investment. We are here to democratize that experience and bring art by African artists to more people, more homes, more hearts.
Has there been a watershed moment that made you realize that print galleries for African art were not only needed but wanted as well?
It’s been interesting seeing seasoned collectors reach out to ask for prints for their homes. This was something we didn’t even expect when starting Fresco. Art is beauty, art is joy, and prints make that accessible. We’ve seen more and more young people collecting, and it’s been encouraging.
We also introduced limited-edition artist-designed merchandise to our exhibitions, which has brought more people into the art market. More people feel included, and they feel like they can afford and enjoy art and “Artsy things”.
We are an entry point for some and a way to diversify for others. Our hope for the newcomers is that today, they are buying a print from Fresco, tomorrow, they could buy their first painting from another African-owned gallery.
How do you select the artists you work with?
Before I answer this, it’s important to mention that “Prints” come in two forms. The first is what most people know: reproductions of paintings typically printed on paper or sometimes painted on [a.k.a. hand-finished prints]. The second is original art made through printmaking techniques like linocut, screenprinting, and more. At Fresco, we exhibit both.
We show original prints by contemporary artists who have a printmaking practice, mostly early or mid-career, while reproductions are typically for more established artists that have significant existing demand. In terms of artist and artwork selections, aesthetics are just as important to us as narrative. Prints and editions are expected to look cool, beautiful, and somewhat decorative, and we always do our best to deliver on that.
Can you speak a bit about your August 2024 exhibition “Anchors,” and how it has come together to this point?
“Anchors” is a group exhibition of monoprints and limited editions by young, contemporary artists at different stages of their careers, all exploring technical printmaking. The theme leans into the role of identity as a grounding force, and I think it’s a very special theme for artists to explore because, for many artists, identity is central to their practice.
With “Anchors,” we really want people to experience the exhibition on two levels. On one level, you experience the power of narrative and storytelling in art as a way to connect with people and bring them in. On another level, inviting them to get curious about the mediums.
Each artist explores a different printmaking medium—some explore two—while creating beautiful, unique works in their signature styles. The artist’s selection is very diverse, featuring 3 Nigerian artists and 2 international artists of African descent, all coming together to tell this powerful message of self-exploration and owning your story.
What does expansion look like for Fresco, or for print galleries in general?
For Fresco, growth will mean creating a space for more artists to explore printmaking mediums and for our collector community to experience them. Creating a high-quality print studio that features a residency, peer-to-peer collaboration and mentorship opportunities, and community conversations on home soil would do a lot to strengthen the representation we need and get more people to collect African prints locally and internationally.
Not only will this add to the growth of African art and the creative economy, but it will also encourage cultural exchanges where Black and multiracial artists from around Africa and the rest of the world can come to Lagos to create special works and experience our culture.
