1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair (1-54) has announced a special edition launching this week, held at Paris’s Christie’s auction house between January 20—23 and online. The fair’s first iteration in the city was announced following the cancellation of its edition in Marrakech and will feature galleries from Africa and Europe, as well as the presentation of 1-54 Forum’s program of talks, screenings, workshops, readings, and performances.
Nú Barreto, “Ossements (États Désunis d’Afrique),” 2018; courtesy of Galerie Nathalie Obadia.
With 20 presenters like Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Wilde, Gallery 1957, This is Not a White Cube, 31 PROJECT, Dominique Fiat, Luce Gallery, and Galerie Cécile Fakhoury, the in-person fair will take place at the auction house’s Avenue Matignon headquarters, where corresponding health and safety regulations have been put into place. The accompanying online experience (launched with support from Christie’s) will also allow global viewers access to the fair virtually, as well as through Artsy.
“1-54’s vision has always been to promote vibrant and dynamic contemporary art from a diverse set of African perspectives and bring it to new audiences, and what better way of doing so than to launch an edition somewhere completely new,’ said the fair’s Founding Director, Touria El Glaoui. “Thanks to the special Season of African Culture in France, 2021 is already set to be a great year for African art in the country so we are excited to be playing our part and look forward, all being well, to welcoming our French friends to Christie’s and many more from around the world to our online fair in January.”
Prince Gyasi, “Patience & Purpose,” 2019; courtesy of Nil Gallery.
All digital programming in the 1-54 Forum has been curated by the Marrakech art space Le 18 for this edition of the fair. Named “Crafting wor[l]ds: for a vernacular economy of art,” the forum is focused on the ways creative movements must engage with and navigate through issues brought on by capitalism, modernity, and neocolonialism.
This edition of 1-54 will also offer a collaboration with the fine-art shipping company Convelio for those looking to purchase artworks, including a special API too featured in the online platform and a unique white-glove, front-door delivery service.
Fouad Hamza Tibin, “Untitled,” 1975; Courtesy galerie Eric Dupont, Paris.
Cristiano Mangovo, “Murmurantes / The Murmurers,” 2019; courtesy of This Is Not a White Cube.
