The second Parisian edition of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is taking place within the galleries of esteemed auction house Christie’s from April 7—10. Following the postponement of the fair’s iteration in Marrakech, 1-54 has invited all participants from the Morocco iteration for a total of 22 presenting galleries. Open to the public for the first time, the show has been presented with support from Artsy, encompassing an online aspect to welcome remote participants, which joins the main in-person gallery presentations and programming like 1-54 Forum.
Januario Jano, “Ilundu Anthology,” 2018, Inkjet on 100% cotton fine art paper rag, 46 x 34 cm; courtesy of Primo Marella Gallery.
“In lieu of 1-54’s celebrated Marrakech edition, Christie’s Paris is honoured to welcome the 1-54 fair back to our galleries in Avenue Matignon. January 2021 was a real success and an opportunity for Christie’s to offer our collectors the chance to discover contemporary African art,” said Julien Pradels, the General Director of Christie’s France. “The second edition in Paris will allow us to reinforce our support for the participating galleries and the artists they represent. We are delighted that this partnership will continue in 2022, beginning in Paris and continuing in London to coincide with the fair’s 10th edition.”
Nuits Balnéaires, “Alonhomba from The Power of Alliances series,” 2021, Fine Art Print on Epson Enhanced Fine Art Paper, 20×80 cm; courtesy of DADA Gallery.
Hailing primarily from Europe and Africa are presenting galleries like La Galerie 38, African Arty, and Loft Art Gallery representing Morocco, Galerie Carole Kvasnevski, AFIKARIS, Françoise Livinec, and Galerie Nathalie Obadia from Paris, The Third Line of Dubai, Berlin’s Katharina Maria Raab, Kó Art Space from Lagos, Everard Read of Johannesburg, Madrid’s Sabrina Amrani, and more. Among these galleries are presentations of artists who identify with the African diaspora, including Prince Gyasi, Yaw Owusu, Fathi Hassan, Emily Moore, Aboudia, Januario Jano, Marie-Claire Messouma, Blessing Ngobeni, and Chiderah Bosah, just to name a few.
During their time in Paris, attendees should look out for the happenings under the Forum sector of the fair, which are soon to be announced, along with other coinciding art shows and events taking place around the city.
Aboudia, “Le ghanghanba,” 2022, Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 180 x 151 cm; courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery.
Joshua Oheneba-Takyi, “Turmoil,” 2022, Acrylic on canvas, 300 x 200 cm; courtesy of Gallery 1957.
