Événements

1:54, London’s inaugural international fair dedicated to contemporary African art, announces the highlights of its five-day programme and featured artists. The fair’s title refers to the 54 countries that constitute the African continent, whilst reflecting the multitude of artistic canons within its compass. 1:54 aims to foster the discovery of artists, galleries, transnational curators, thriving art centres and museums engaged within African and Africa related projects. To mark its debut, internationally acclaimed Ghanaian-born British architect David Adjaye, winner of the 2013 RIBA International Award, will design the exhibition space in Somerset House’s West Wing.

1:54 will showcase 15 galleries from Abidjan, Lagos, through to London, Paris and Seattle, with curated exhibitions to represent over 70 young and celebrated artists. Featured artists at the fair include:

Aboudia, Sammy Baloji, Edson Chagas, Godfried Donkor, Sokari Douglas Camp CBE, Meschac Gaba, Gonçalo Mabunda and Cheri Samba.

1:54 will be accompanied by 1:54 Forum, a series of artist talks, lectures, film screenings and panel discussions, chaired by leading curators, artists and professionals from the international field including curator Hans-Ulrich Obrist and artists Otobong Nkanga, Edson Chagas, Olafur Eliasson, Baudouin Mouanda, Zineb Sedira and Issa Samb among others. 1:54 Forum was initiated and is programmed by Koyo Kouoh, the inaugural artistic director of 1:54 and founder of Raw Material Company, a pioneering non-profit centre for art, knowledge and society in Dakar. 1:54 is founded by Touria El Glaoui.