This week in Morocco, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to Marrakech following a three-year hiatus, taking place from February 9—12 and viewable online via Artsy until February 26. Hosted at the newly refreshed hotel La Mamounia, the fair’s fourth edition welcomes work by more than 60 artists presented by 20 galleries—12 of which are new to the fair.
“Finally, after three years away from our partners, friends, and family in Marrakech, we are delighted to announce our return to the beautiful La Mamounia hotel for our fourth fair on the African continent,” said 1-54’s Founding Director, Touria El Glaoui. “We recently celebrated the fair’s 10-year anniversary edition and what a perfect way to follow up from this than with the return to our intimate and much anticipated fair in Morocco. Our inspired program of events and wonderful galleries will provide visitors with an exciting experience with so much amazing art to discover!”
Mous Lamrabat, “X-Rated 7,” 2017, Fine art print, Inkjet print, Paper Hahnemühle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth 305g; courtesy of Loft Art Gallery.
Joana Choumali, “You Can’t Separate Waves,” 2022, Embroidery on digital photography printed on canvas, 35 x 35 cm; courtesy of Loft Art Gallery.
Galleries Showing at 1-54 Marrakech for the First Time
Along with a majority of first-time presenters—including art spaces like Foreign Agent, 193 Gallery, La Galerie 38, Superposition Gallery, HOA Galeria, TEMPLON, and Mmarthouse—the 2023 edition of the fair will welcome work by a roster of debuting artists, among them being Thandiwe Muriu, Kehinde Wiley, Omar Ba, Maya Inès Touam, and Ismail Zaidy. This year’s returning artist highlights include names like Ana Silva, Youssef Nabil, Prince Gyasi, Joanna Coumali, and Mous Lamrabat while returning galleries—hailing from the U.S., Europe, and the African continent—are Loft Art Gallery, Galerie 127, Nil Gallery, MAGNIN-A, Katharina Maria Raab, MAÂT Gallery, L’Atelier 21, Galerie Cécile Fakhoury, and Galerie Nathalie Obadia.
Outside of the fair, those in the city should look out for surrounding programming at local institutions like Malhoun 2.0, Jajjah by Hassan Hajjaj, Musée des Arts de la Parure Marrakech, Musée d’Art Contemporain Africain Al Maaden, and the artists residence Al Maqam.
Thandiwe Muriu, “In full bloom,” 2022, Photography, Jet Ink Print of FineArt RAG+ MATT 310g, 150 x 100cm; courtesy of 193 Gallery.
Rachel Marsil, “Vendeur de fruits ambulant #1,” 2022, Acrylic and oil on cotton canvas, 73 x104 cm; courtesy of Galerie Cécile Fakhoury.
M’barek Bouhchichi, “Aicha,” 2022, Mixed media on rubber, 118 x 116 cm; courtesy of L’Atelier 21 Art Gallery, Casablanca.
Maya Inès, “Touam, Masque et Agathe,” 2020, Fine Art print on Hahnemühle paper, 64 x 80 cm; courtesy of Gallery THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE.
