How my art installation in Lagos was demolished – By Abolore Sobayo

I got a shocking news from a colleague about the demolition of my installation – COMMUNITY at Ile Zik. I visited the site today, and I saw all that was left of it!

As the artist who created the work, I felt quite bad that I was not given any form of notification about the demolition, and sincerely wished that the work was professionally removed or relocated.

The installation had been vandalized so many times – first was the lighting (a few weeks after completion), then on July 11th, 2019 when some of the perimeter fence was stolen. Later in 2020, the metal pole carrying the logo of Lagos state was also removed. For every time it happened, I sent in recommendations based on the security situation of the location and also proffered possible solutions.

I will surely miss this piece, as I will be reminded every time I pass through this route. COMMUNITY talked about the communal life in Lagos state and also served as a form of documentation with the maps of the 57 Local Government Areas and LCDAs.

There are so many questions yet unanswered?

Who demolished the public art work and why? What is going on at the Lagos State Ministry Of Art and Culture? Are art works and intellectual property in the state safe?

I have more questions than answers………

Abolore Sobayo is an artist who resides in Lagos