The second edition of the +234Art Fair opened on March 26 at the Ecobank Pan-African Center in Lagos. The contemporary art fair takes place in the spring, ahead of Nigeria's major art fairs in October and November. Its aim is to present around 200 young artists and discover the talents of tomorrow.

The fair offers a comprehensive showcase of painting, photography and sculpture, giving the public an insight into the latest creative endeavors of emerging artists and photographers in Nigeria.

"I'm in love," said Nancy Keshinro, an art collector and gallery owner, viewing the above canvas showing two women holding the world in their hands. The spirit of the art show matches the energy of the vibrant megacity in which it's held.

It's not hard to find outstanding artists in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country. The challenge lies in making them known to the country's 220 million inhabitants, like these two visitors. This exposure allows new artists "to be able to live, earn, have a career," festival founder Tola Akerele, who also runs the renowned Soto Gallery in Lagos, told the AFP news agency.

The +234Art Fair — named after Nigeria's country calling code — isn't a bad deal for collectors. Works can be bought here for as little as 100,000 naira (about $65/€60), while more expensive works of art can fetch up to 4 million naira. Many gallery owners and experienced buyers are on the lookout for undiscovered talents with the potential for an international breakthrough.

For the many up-and-coming artists, the fair not only offers the opportunity to present their own work but also to network — to the strains of classical music.

Nigeria's modern art scene has been on the rise since the 1980s and '90s. The strong domestic economy has also brought in many local buyers and helped make Lagos a cultural center for artists from all over West Africa.