On February 8 in Marrakech, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair unveils its latest edition in the heart of Morocco through February 11. Held at the illustrious Mamounia hotel, as well as the leading-edge DaDa art laboratory, 1-54 presents 27 exhibitors—with 14 dynamic galleries hailing from the African continent. Ongoing partnerships with INFINIMENT COTY PARIS, Christie’s, Audi Maroc, and Fondation TGCC uplift new ventures in contemporary African art for the international creative community.
Courtesy of DaDa and 1-54.
1-54’s Expands to Medina with DaDa Art Space and Influential Exhibitor Debuts
The fair’s development within Marrakech since 2018 now enlivens the rapturous Medina, as DaDa art space offers visitors access to exhibitions from six galleries. Notable first-time exhibitors with 1-54 include The Bridge Gallery (Paris, France), CDA Gallery (Casablanca, Morocco), M CONCEPT Gallery (Dakar, Senegal), and Reiners Contemporary Art (Marbella, Spain). Galleries with much-anticipated debuts include kó (Lagos, Nigeria), Gallery 1957 (Accra, Ghana and London, UK), Portas Vilaseca Galeria (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Galerie Atiss Dakar (Dakar, Senegal), and The African Art Hub (London, UK).
Courtesy of 1-54 and Nicolas Brasseur, Say Who.
1-54 Unveils New Partnership with Local Artists, Foundations, and Institutions
An array of programs will take place throughout the run of the fair, spotlighting inspired collaborations with regional institutions and organizations including Black Rock Global Arts Foundation, Institut Français de Marrakech, MAP Marrakech (Musée des Arts de la Parure), and Al Maqam artists’ residence—alongside exclusive studio visits with artists such as M’barek Bouhchichi, Amina Benbouchta, Yasmina Alaoui, and Yamou.
“Expanding the fair to DaDa in the heart of the Medina signifies not only the success of 1-54 Marrakech but also our steadfast commitment to engaging with the Moroccan art scene,” said Touria El Glaoui, Founding Director of 1-54.”We are delighted to see so many local artists and galleries on the programme, showcasing these countries contribution to the rich tapestry of contemporary African art.”
Courtesy of DaDa and 1-54.
“This year’s Marrakech edition has a focus on supporting artists, and through partnerships and events such as the symposium with Black Rock Global Arts Foundation, we aim to offer meaningful dialogue and connections between African artists and institutions. We look forward to welcoming old friends and newcomers alike to the Marrakech edition, to celebrate the power of African art and its global impact,” she continued.
© Adnane Zemmama, courtesy of 1-54.
Emerging and Established Artists Illuminate 1-54 in Marrakech
The complex creations of both emerging and established artists will radiate in this year’s iteration. Painter Abdelmalek Berhiss, with Galerie SINIYA28 (Marrakech, Morocco), presents mesmeric works of acrylic on canvas; his signature use of dots steeps viewers in a kaleidoscopic universe of emotion and action.
AFIKARIS (Paris, France) reveals the poignant works of Jean David Nkot; The sweat of my body in the cotton fields (2023) unravels exploitation and the human condition through the intermeshing of lost youth in the poetry of mother nature’s garden.
Courtesy of 1-54 and Nicolas Brasseur, Say Who.
Kehinde Whiley’s Black Rock Global Arts Foundation Co-Hosts Riveting Symposium
Established by artist Kehinde Whiley, Black Rock Global Arts Foundation co-hosts with 1-54 a riveting symposium on artist-centric institutions in Africa. Notable industry forerunners from the world’s most prominent public museums, artist-led initiatives, and foundations will gather in Marrakech for energetic discussion on the expansion of vital spaces on the continent.
In addition, the foundation will illuminate the artworks of previous Black Rock Senegal artists-in-residence. Painter Devin B. Johnson and mixed-media artist Léonard Pongo exhibit their luminous techniques in intimate relation to Dakar’s enchanting creative community.
© Ayoub Essafi, courtesy of 1-54.
