Art is not merely a cultural expression—it is an evolving asset class with complex legal dimensions. At Smith & Partners LP, we offer strategic legal services to clients across the art ecosystem, including artists, collectors, museums, galleries, auction houses, and cultural institutions. Our Art Law practice addresses the full lifecycle of artwork ownership, from creation and acquisition to commercialization and legacy planning.

We advise on the negotiation and drafting of art sale agreements, artist commissions, licensing arrangements, and consignment contracts. We are also well-versed in intellectual property rights, authenticity and provenance issues, cross-border art transactions, import/export restrictions, and dispute resolution in the art world.

One of our partners was part of the legal team that advised a prominent Nigerian collector in a high-value international sale of a rare modernist painting. The transaction involved cross-jurisdictional negotiations, export clearance with regulatory authorities, and drafting of airtight transfer agreements.

We recently advised a museum in Lagos on its copyright licensing framework for reproducing contemporary artworks in exhibition catalogs and merchandise. Our firm ensured that the agreements protected the intellectual property rights of the artists while aligning with the museum’s brand and outreach goals.

Our lawyers also provided legal support to a sculptor commissioned by a government agency to create a monumental public art installation. We drafted the artist agreement, addressing timelines, payment structures, intellectual property ownership, moral rights, maintenance obligations, and site-specific conditions.

We are currently assisting the family of a late Nigerian visual artist in managing his unsold artworks and intellectual property. The advisory includes structuring a family trust to manage his estate, licensing of his works, and laying the groundwork for a future foundation in his name.

In a recent matter, we advised a Lagos-based gallery dealing with a disputed artwork discovered to have been previously stolen. Our intervention involved title verification, negotiation with the rightful owner, and settlement of ownership claims without the need for public litigation.

At Smith & Partners LP, we understand that art is both personal and transactional. We offer sophisticated, discreet, and well-informed legal counsel that empowers clients to navigate the art market with confidence—preserving artistic integrity while minimizing legal and commercial risks.