Photo courtesy of LIS10 Gallery via IMG SRVR.
A Snapshot of What to See at the New York 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
For the tenth consecutive year, 1-54 returns for the New York leg of its annual Contemporary African Art Fair, which takes place across three continents, with locations in Marrakech and London. Now with its most expansive edition yet, this year’s 1-54 New York features 32 galleries exhibiting the works of over 70 artists from around Africa and its diaspora.
After last year's event in Harlem, this edition of 1-54 New York is being held in Chelsea, Manhattan, in close proximity to the other art fairs happening concurrently, such as Frieze New York, in order to draw in more collectors and more eyes. After a two-day exclusive preview, on May 1 and 2, the fair will open to the public from May 3 to May 4.
Of the participating galleries, each with their individual stand, there are eight debutants. Seven of the galleries are based in Africa, and 1-54 founder and director Touria El Glaoui has noted how expensive and difficult it can be for galleries and artists to get into the U.S. “But even if the galleries are not based in Africa, the galleries that we have coming are very focused on African art,” El Glaoui said in an interview with The Art Newspaper.
Below, we spotlight six exhibiting artists.
Laetitia Ky
Photo courtesy of LIS10 Gallery via IMG SRVR.
‘Be Sexy and Shut Up’, 2023, C-print, mounting on diasec-plexiglass satin, 75 x 50 cm, Edition of 5 + 2 AP.
Ivorian artist Laetitia Ky’s hair sculptures are an inventive expression of her love for the wide variety of African women’s hairstyles. Captured in striking photographs, her art explores socially relevant topics like gender equality. Her works will be presented by the Italy and France-based LIS10 Gallery.
Aidan Marak
Courtesy of So Art Gallery via 1-54’s website.
‘Accroche Toi à Elle’, 2023, Mixed media and acrylic on canvas, 178 x 152 cm.
Building on her interior design and architecture foundation, Aidan Marak’s canvases are thought-provoking collages that seek to deconstruct societal norms. Presented by Casablanca’s So Art Gallery, the Morrocan artist’s powerful mix of words, brushstrokes and imagery transcends experiences and delves into pressing issues.
Esther Mahlangu
Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery via 1-54’s website.
‘Untitled’, 2011, Acrylic on canvas, 100,5 x 151,5 cm.
The greatness of South African fine artist Esther Mahlangu is undisputed. Painting since her pre-teens, she’s one of the most globally recognized artists from Africa, primarily based on her innovative excellence. Johannesburg’s The Melrose Gallery has dedicated its stand to exhibiting Mahlangu’s peerless Ndebele mural prowess.
Nabir Yo
Courtesy Amasaka Gallery via 1-54’s website.
‘The Cleaner’, 2024, Textile, barkcloth and acrylics on denim, 124 x 117 cm.
Making its 1-54 New York debut, Uganda-based Amasaka Gallery is exhibiting three female artists in its stand. One of the artists is 22-year-old Nabir Yo, who started her art journey by imitating her grandmother’s knitting and embroidery of home decor fabrics. These days, she mixes fashion, installation and painting in her exploration of identity and expression.
Clay Apenouvon
Courtesy of Clay Apenouvon via 1-54’s website.
‘BLACK PROFILE V’, 2020, Pyrography on plastic, Recycled plastic materials, survival blanket, 220 x 145 x 8 cm.
Presented by France and Côte d’Ivoire-based 110 Galerie Véronique Rieffel, Togo-born Clay Apenouvon takes an organic approach to his art, making installation spectacles from various everyday materials. Apenouvon’s plastic creations are characterized by an appropriation of what’s real.
Tope Fatunmbi
Courtesy LIS10 Gallery via 1-54’s website.
‘Contemplation’, 2023, Oil and acrylic on canvas, 180 x 150 cm.
Hairstyles worn by Yoruba women serve as the muse for Tope Fatunmbi’s paintings. Growing up with a grandmother who was a hairdresser, Fatunmbi constantly draws parallels between the intricate process and vibrant energy involved in weaving hairstyles with the creation of abstract paintings.