Coinciding with Frieze Week, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to its London home at Somerset House. Launching with a VIP preview on October 14 and 15, the fair is open to the public in-person from October 16–17 and viewable online through Artsy until October 31. In this ninth edition, attendees will find nearly 50 presenters from 23 countries sharing the work of creatives from Africa and its diaspora, including a main presentation floor, the Forum Program, the Special Projects platform, and more.
Marlon Amaro, “pt. 1 O mito da igualdade sem titulo,” 2021, Oil, spray, permanent pen, collage and glitter on canvas, 142.2 x 218.4 cm; courtesy of HOA Galeria.
“It’s my absolute pleasure to announce that we are able to welcome back our usual number of galleries to Somerset House for our 9th edition in the city,” said Touria El Glaoui, the fair’s Founding Director. “It’s an especially notable year for us, with a record number of galleries exhibiting from the African continent, and a continued special collaboration with Christie’s who will host an exciting exhibition at its Duke Street space.”
Gonçalo Mabunda, “The Throne of the Living,” 2020, Mixed media, 122 x 149 x 52 cm; courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery.
Names like Addis Fine Art, Retro Africa, THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE, DADA Gallery, La Galerie 38, Gallery 1957, and UBUNTU Gallery, make up the group of 20 galleries presenting, the largest number from the continent to date. The remaining galleries hail from North America and Europe, and fair first-timers include Foreign Agent, 31 PROJECT, Galerie Atiss Dakar, Bubble’n’Squeak, HOA Galeria, Galerie Dominique Fiat,and Galerie Le Sud.
Malala Andrialavidrazana, “Figures 1928, Airline routes and distances,” 2018, UltraChrome pigment inks on Hahnemühle Photo Rag, 110 x 148 cm, ed. 2/5; courtesy of Galerie Dominique Fiat.
Titled “Continental Drift,” this year’s Forum sector has been curated by Dr. Omar Kholeif, who is the Director of Collections and Senior Curator at Sharjah Art Foundation. Encompassing happenings like artist talks, panel discussions, readings, performances, and screenings, the program will explore ideas of digitality, legacy, and philanthropy through the eyes of Michael Armitage, Koyo Kouoh, Otobong Nkanga, Princess Alia Al Senussi, and others.
Mutaz Elemam, “Untitled (4),” 2020, Acrylic on Canvas, 99 x 99 cm. Courtesy of Ubuntu Art Gallery.
Then, in collaboration with Christie’s, the Projects platform encompasses a special exhibition accessible at the auction house’s Duke Street location and online, conceived by the art critic and art historian Christine Eyene. Christie’s is also presenting for auction an NFT series by the Nigerian crypto-artist Osinachi, titled Different Shades of Water, which can be viewed through the Christie’s online platform and in-person at the fair.
Tuli Mekondjo, “Oshilongo inatu shi xupifa /This land we failed to rescue,” 2021, Image transfer on canvas, cotton embroidery thread, crochet yarn and silk fabrics, 103 x 95 cm; courtesy of the artist and Guns & Rain.
