Lagos, Nigeria CNN  — 

A famous painting that sold for $1.6 million made its first public appearance in decades in Nigeria at the ART X Lagos exhibition over the weekend.

Ben Enwonwu’s “Tutu” painting, often dubbed the “African Mona Lisa,” was missing for more than 40 years before turning up in a London apartment last year. It had been hanging up in the flat for over 30 years.

The last time it was displayed in Nigeria before being sold at Bonhams London auction house earlier this year was in 1975 at the Italian embassy in Lagos.

The painting is part of a set of three artworks created by Enwonwu during the aftermath of Nigeria’s bloody civil war that disappeared shortly after being painted in 1974.

The Tutu is one of three missing paintings by Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu
The Tutu is one of three missing paintings by Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu
Bonhams

Depicting the Ife princess Adetutu Ademiluyi (abbreviated as “Tutu”), the painting was created after Enwonwu encountered her walking in the Nigerian countryside.

The two additional pictures of Ademiluyi are still missing.

ART X Lagos which began on Friday, bought many surprises and star turns including the presence of the Ooni of Ife – Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi – a traditional king in the ancient Yoruba city in southwest Nigeria. Artworks by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare were also unveiled.

“I think that the future can only be bright for artists in this part of the world especially at a time when African art is getting much bigger internationally,” Shonibare told CNN at the exhibition.

“Europe and America, historically, they’ve dominated the art scene. And I think the world is realizing that there are different kinds of people. And there are different audiences and that audience is yet untapped.”

"Wind Sculpture (SG) I, 2018" displayed earlier this year in Central Park, New York. The artwork is part of "Wind" sculptures series looking at the layered relationships forged by centuries of global trade and migration.
Yinka Shonibare —
"Wind Sculpture (SG) I, 2018" displayed earlier this year in Central Park, New York. The artwork is part of "Wind" sculptures series looking at the layered relationships forged by centuries of global trade and migration.
Courtesy the artist, Collection of Davidson College and James Cohan Gallery
"Diary of a Victorian Dandy 19.00," 1998. Born in London, Yinka Shonibare grew up in Lagos, Nigeria.
Yinka Shonibare —
"Diary of a Victorian Dandy 19.00," 1998. Born in London, Yinka Shonibare grew up in Lagos, Nigeria.
Courtesy the artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery
"The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters (Africa)", 2008. Shonibare's works often focus on the political history between Africa and Europe.
Yinka Shonibare —
"The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters (Africa)", 2008. Shonibare's works often focus on the political history between Africa and Europe.
Courtesy the artist, Stephen Friedman Gallery and James Cohan Gallery
"The American Library," 2018. More than 200 books wrapped in print fabrics and featuring the name of first and second generation migrant American writers form the "The American Library."
Yinka Shonibare —
"The American Library," 2018. More than 200 books wrapped in print fabrics and featuring the name of first and second generation migrant American writers form the "The American Library."
Jacob Koestler
"Fake Death Picture (The Death of St Francis - Bartolomé Carducho)," 2011.
Yinka Shonibare —
"Fake Death Picture (The Death of St Francis - Bartolomé Carducho)," 2011.
Courtesy James Cohan Gallery
"Scramble for Africa," 2003. Shonibare's works often feature Dutch wax prints, because these prints now regarded as traditional "African prints" are based on Indonesian batik fabric first brought to Africa by Dutch traders in the 1800s.
"Scramble for Africa," 2003. Shonibare's works often feature Dutch wax prints, because these prints now regarded as traditional "African prints" are based on Indonesian batik fabric first brought to Africa by Dutch traders in the 1800s.
Courtesy the artist and the Collection of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
"The Victorian Philanthropist's Parlour," 1996 - 1997. Shonibare uses the wax prints to further illustrate the trade history between Africa and Europe.
"The Victorian Philanthropist's Parlour," 1996 - 1997. Shonibare uses the wax prints to further illustrate the trade history between Africa and Europe.
Courtesy of the artist, Stephen Friedman Gallery and James Cohan Gallery
Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare artworks on display at ART X Lagos

Shonibare revealed he was in the process of building an international residency space in Lagos to bring artists from across the world into a cultural exchange of ideas with Nigerian artists.

Shonibare, who became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2004, is well known for using richly patterned Dutch wax textiles to explore Nigeria’s colonial history and migration to Europe.

“Traffic for many years has always been Africa going to the West and I think it’s about time the West came to Africa,” said Shonibare.

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Oliver Barker, Sotheby's European Chairman, fields bids for Andy Warhol's "Self Portrait" from 1963-64, during the Contemporary Art Evening Auction at Sotheby's on June 28, 2017 in London, England.
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03:09 - Source: CNN

The exhibition is part of a flurry of events taking place in Lagos this month, including Lagos Photo Festival and Lagos Fashion Week, that marks the megacity’s busiest cultural calendar. At Lagos Fashion Week internationally renowned brands such as Maki Oh and Orange Culture took center stage last weekend.

While at Lagos Photo Festival, which runs until 15 November, female photographers from across the African diaspora are being celebrated. This year, the international photo exhibition includes a workshop program for emerging women photographers from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Sierre Leone and the UK.