The Macallan Partners Art X Lagos

… sponsors VIP opening night and art collectors’ preview

To commemorate whisky craftsmanship and artistic innovation in the Nigerian art
scene, renowned single malt whisky, The Macallan, collaborated with Art X Lagos for
the eighth edition of its annual art exhibition. The four-day event commenced with a
classy private collectors’ preview on Thursday, November 2, 2023, followed by a ‘VIP
Opening Night’ on Friday, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In line with The Macallan’s ethos, the event served as a celebration of the synergy
between whisky craftsmanship and artistic innovation, underscoring the prestigious
whisky brand’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s thriving art and creative
ecosystem. With the global art community’s spotlight on local artists, this
collaboration aligns with a broader vision of nurturing innovation, creativity, culture,
and the art community within Nigeria.

The Macallan whisky tasting experience for the private collectors preview on
Thursday, and the ‘VIP Opening Night’ on the Friday, provided guests with an
immersive artful and sensory experience. Notable attendees included dilettantes,
whisky connoisseurs, and renowned individuals, such as CEO, Access Bank, Herbert
Wigwe; the First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Musician, Bankole
Wellington; NBA Africa Vice President & Country Head, NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola
Abudu; and Trace TV’s Senior Vice President of Global Business Development, Sam
Onyemelukwe. The exclusive guests did not only get to appreciate the artworks on
display but also indulged in the ultra-premium whisky.
Brand Manager, Edrington Portfolio, Nigeria, Hammed Adebiyi, emphasised The
Macallan’s dedication to the art and crafts community, stating, “Art X Lagos has
consistently championed artistic excellence in Africa, making it a natural choice
for The Macallan to partner with. They share a common commitment to
craftsmanship, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence, and we are excited to
bring this to life through the intersection of art and whisky.”
Tokini Peterside, Founder and Convener of Art X Lagos, shared her perspective on
the growth of Nigeria’s art ecosystem. She remarked, “2023 has brought with it an
exacerbation of the challenges experienced in recent years across Nigeria and
Africa, and in this pivotal year, we recognise that ART X Lagos’ evolving role as a
gathering place for our community, is all the more crucial”.

Since its debut in 2016, ART X Lagos has grown to host galleries and artists from over 40 countries and has become renowned for its exhibitions, which include private collector’s exhibitions, ART X Talks — a panel discussion series; ART X Live — a showcase featuring collaborations between some of the fastest-rising artists in the African continent. These programmes have featured an array of emerging and established artists from the continent and the diaspora, including El Anatsui, Wangechi Mutu, Njideka Akunyili-Crosby, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Hank Willis Thomas and others.

Echoing its commitment to craftsmanship and innovation in art, The Macallan’s partnership with Art X Lagos highlights the synergy between whisky and artistic innovation, creating an unforgettable experience where craftsmanship and artistic ingenuity converge.