Celebrating its 10th anniversary in London, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is delighted to return to Somerset House with its flagship edition over the course of four days from 13–16 October 2022 (Press & VIP Preview on 13 October). 1-54 London 2022 will host 50 international exhibitors across 21 countries, its largest number of countries to date!
1-54 London 2022 will be accompanied by a range of special projects and events, in addition to 1-54 Forum, the fair’s multi-disciplinary programme of talks, screenings, performances, workshops, and readings which will be curated by Dr Omar Kholeif. Please visit this page for more information.
Afriart Gallery (Uganda)
Courtesy of Afriart Gallery.
Presenting Artist(s):
- Adelaide Damoah
- Ghizlane Sahli
- Katlego Tlabela
- Nnenna Okore
Founded in 2002 in Kampala, Afriart Gallery has become a leading contemporary art gallery representing artists from Africa. The gallery focuses on original forms of expression and dialogue with the public. It provides an environment where collectors can find powerful contemporary artistic ideas and discussions.
Afriart Gallery was founded by Daudi Karungi, a trained artist who understands the difficulties young artists on the African continent face. The gallery team is committed to creating a fair playing field and supportive community for artists by continuously implementing projects that foster their growth through mentorship, visibility, and information archiving. Works by AAG artists feature frequently at major fairs, such as Art Basel Miami Beach, AKAA Paris, ART X Lagos, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, and more.
AFRIKARIS (France)
Courtesy of AFRIKARIS
Presenting Artist(s):
- Crystal Yayra Anthony
- Omar Mahfoudi
- Ozioma Onuzulike
- Salifou Lindou
Formed in 2018 with the mission to promote artists from Africa and its diaspora, AFIKARIS settled down in 2020 at 38 Rue Quincampoix, situated next to Centre Pompidou. The gallery showcases works by artists from Africa and its diaspora and mainly aims to provide their works with international visibility through exhibitions, art fairs, and collaborations with cultural institutions.
The gallery aims to be a place for exchange and dialogue, engaging in conversations with the public. AFIKARIS gives voices to its artists on topical issues, as well as subjects at the heart of their art. It is also a space for reflection about the African contemporary art scene. The gallery highlights both emerging and well-renowned talents.
THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE (Angola / Portugal)
Courtesy of THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE
Presenting Artist(s):
- Cristiano Mangovo
- Francisco Vidal
- Patrick Bongoy
- René Tavares
- Stephané E. Conradie
THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE is an international contemporary art gallery with exhibition spaces in Luanda, Angola and Lisbon, Portugal. Representing and collaborating with international established and emerging artists, the gallery’s programme focuses on relevant and powerful narratives associated with the African continent and its diaspora. It is the first contemporary African gallery in Portugal that focuses not exclusively on Lusophone circles, but also the emerging aesthetics of cultural and artistic productions from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, Brazil, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The gallery maintains a regular and significant presence in important international art fairs.
LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery (Côte d’Ivoire)
Courtesy of LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery
Presenting Artist(s):
- Ange Dakouo
- Pedro Pires
LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery represents emerging and established artists from Africa. Founded in 2015 by Simone Guirandou-NʼDiaye and her daughter Gazelle, the gallery follows suit to Arts Pluriels, one of the first art galleries in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Through a programme of solo and group exhibitions, as well as participation in international art fairs, LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery provides a platform for artists and audiences from Côte d’Ivoire and abroad.
As an art historian and well-known contributor to the arts in Côte d’Ivoire, Simone Guirandou-N’Diaye curated the first International Exhibition of Plastic Arts of Abidjan (SIAPA) and is a member of both the Academy of Sciences, Arts, Cultures of Africa and African Diasporas (ASCAD) and the International Association of Art Critics (AICA).
SMO Contemporary Art (Nigeria)
Courtesy of SMO Contemporary Art
Presenting Artist(s):
- Gary March
- Manyaku Mashilo
- Moufouli Bello
SMO Contemporary Art is an international art platform showcasing modern and contemporary art from Africa and the diaspora to a global audience. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, and founded in 2016, SMO is dedicated to showcasing artists of all generations who have been instrumental in shaping West Africa’s contemporary art canon, and who are crucial in establishing a unique narrative of the continent.
Regular exhibitions at diverse and unconventional gallery spaces, as well as international fairs, underpin SMO’s vision to engage with large and heterogeneous audiences. Specialising in art advisory services, SMO also curates and manages important private and corporate art collections with a great commitment to documentation, preservation, and communication.
Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (United Kingdom / Germany / USA / Norway)
Courtesy of Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery
Presenting Artist(s):
- Tewodros Hagos
Established in 2012, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery has quickly gained a reputation for exhibiting a diverse roster of innovative international artists, both emerging and established, with strong theoretical and aesthetic bases. Since its inception, the gallery has embraced a collaborative, multicultural curatorial approach, maintaining a deep devotion to the artists it represents while fostering close relationships with museums and curators worldwide.
Drawing on her own international background, Kristin Hjellegjerde seeks to nurture new talent by offering artists a dynamic and inclusive platform through which they can be introduced to local and global clients. She works closely with other curators and collectors as well as developers and architects to develop unique and exciting exhibition concepts.
Selebe Yoon (Senegal)
Courtesy of Selebe Yoon
Presenting Artist(s):
- Arébénor Basséne
Situated in the heart of Dakar’s city centre, Selebe Yoon is a residency and gallery that supports local and international artists. Founded in 2020 by Jennifer Houdrouge, the gallery’s modernist building from 1953 is an iconic example of Dakar’s architectural history. In Wolof, ‘selebe yoon’ means ‘the crossroad,’ the place where different paths intersect. As a site of convergence for interdisciplinary research and practices, Selebe Yoon is supportive of artists’ creative processes and artistic experimentations, and encourages dialogues amongst artists and cultural actors.
Galerie Véronique Rieffel (Côte d’Ivoire)
Courtesy of Galerie Véronique Rieffel
Presenting Artist(s):
- Clay Apenouvon
Dedicated to contemporary art and design, Galerie Véronique Rieffel presents works by artists from the Middle East and the African continent, as well as artists who have built strong relationships with these regions of the world. To contribute to the new dynamics and organisation of these cultural landscapes, the gallery aims to heighten the awareness around these artists and their cultural backgrounds.
Based in Côte d’Ivoire, but nomadic at heart, Galerie Véronique Rieffel opened its new permanent space near the historic town of Grand-Bassam, in the atypical setting of the Mondoukou coconut grove. This vast multidisciplinary artists complex, called the ‘Cocoteraie des arts,’ hosts various disciplines and offers a unique artistic experience far from cultural consumption. It also acts as a residency space which allows artists to create in a particularly inspirational and stimulating environment.
Sakhile&Me (Germany)
Courtesy of Sakhile&Me
Presenting Artist(s):
- Adelaide Damoah
- Ghizlane Sahli
- Katlego Tlabela
- Nnenna Okore
Sakhile&Me is a contemporary art gallery and research space based in Frankfurt, Germany. Founded in 2018 by Sakhile Matlhare and Daniel Hagemeier, Sakhile&Me works with both young and established international artists, curators, and researchers, prioritising the African continent and its diasporas with the goal of drawing attention to contextual specificity in and through art – in content, artistic medium, and genre. The gallery is committed to building a strong art programme that invests in its artists’ development and encourages audiences to come to a deeper appreciation and understanding of their work.
October Gallery (United Kingdom)
Courtesy of October Gallery.
Presenting Artist(s):
- Alexis Peskine
- Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga
- LR Vandy
- Romuald Hazoumè
- Sokari Douglas Camp
- Zana Masombuka
October Gallery opened in Bloomsbury, London, in 1979 and quickly established itself as a pioneer in showcasing contemporary art from around the world. Within this context, it has been instrumental in nurturing and shaping the careers of many artists including El Anatsui, Rachid Koraïchi, and Romuald Hazoumè. In over 40 years of existence, October Gallery has continuously provided an innovative platform for contemporary artists, presenting works that are provocative, riveting, and continuously fuelling current art discourse.
For more information, please visit 1-54 London.
