Your First Look at 1-54 Marrakech 2026

Each winter, Marrakech shifts tempo. Courtyards fill with collectors and curators, conversations stretch from tiled salons into the Medina, and contemporary African art takes on a distinctly local cadence. In early February, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to Morocco for its Marrakech edition, once again transforming La Mamounia and the multidisciplinary space DaDa into parallel sites of encounter, discovery, and dialogue.

Now firmly established as a cornerstone of the global fair calendar, 1-54 Marrakech brings together more than 30 galleries from across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, with nearly half of the exhibitors based on the African continent. The fair’s structure—intimate, walkable, and intentionally porous—encourages close looking rather than spectacle, positioning emerging practices alongside established voices within a setting that foregrounds exchange over scale.

Founding Director Touria El Glaoui describes the Marrakech edition as a reflection of the fair’s long-term commitment to the region. “We are proud to continue building a platform that celebrates the diversity and innovation of contemporary African art while remaining deeply connected to Morocco’s cultural landscape,” she notes, emphasizing the importance of local partnerships and sustained presence.

Galleries to Watch at 1-54 Marrakech

This year’s exhibitor list balances returning anchors with first-time participants across all three of 1-54’s global editions. Among the newcomers, C+N Gallery CANEPANERI presents a focused booth dedicated to Nigerian painter Chigozie Obi, while space Un (Tokyo) joins forces with Galerie Atiss Dakar for a joint presentation spotlighting Senegalese artist Aliou Diack.

Paris-based AFIKARIS brings together works by Omar Mahfoudi, Ozioma Onuzulike, and Hervé Yamguen, while Primo Marella Gallery stages a materially rich presentation spanning textile, installation, and sculpture by artists including Joël Andrianomearisoa, Abdoulaye Konaté, and Tegene Kunbi. Moroccan galleries remain a central force, with L’Atelier 21, La Galerie 38, Loft Art Gallery, and Galerie SINIYA28 foregrounding both historical and emerging voices from the region.

Artists in Focus

Across the fair, painting, photography, sculpture, and textile-based practices intersect with questions of memory, place, and material knowledge. Gallery 1957 highlights new work by Ghanaian artist Kelvin Haizel, while Hunna Art centers female perspectives through works by Amina Yahia and Maissane Alibrahimi. Nil Gallery assembles a cross-continental dialogue featuring Sara Benabdallah, Caleb Kwarteng Prah, and Joel Bigaignon, underscoring the fair’s diasporic reach.

Special Projects and Collaborations

Beyond the booths, 1-54 Marrakech extends into a robust program of Special Projects developed in partnership with regional and international institutions. Kalhath Foundation presents an embroidery-based project by Amina Benbouchta, developed through a residency that merges traditional craft with contemporary narratives of gender and memory. Fondation TGCC marks the fifth anniversary of the Prix Mustaqbal with a group exhibition spotlighting emerging Moroccan artists, while Tanger Print Club, an initiative of Think Tanger, introduces an accessible print program featuring artists such as Yto Barrada and Laila Hida.

Returning collaborations with Christie’s, Audi Maroc, and INFINIMENT COTY PARIS further extend the fair’s ecosystem, reinforcing Marrakech’s role as a meeting point between artistic production, patronage, and global exchange.

1-54 Marrakech 2026: What to Know

Dates: January 30 – February 2, 2026
Press Preview: January 30
Venues: La Mamounia Hotel; DaDa, Medina, Marrakech

Opening Hours:
• Press & VIP Preview: January 30–31, 11am–7pm
• Public Days: February 1, 11am–7pm; February 2, 11am–6pm

Website: 1-54.com
Instagram: @154artfair