1-54 London 2023: 62 Exhibitors, Digital Repatriation, and Mr Eazi Collaboration
The 11th iteration of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair was held at Somerset House in London, showcasing 62 exhibitors, with a third hailing from Africa and 14 making their debut. More than 170 artists displayed their works across diverse media. Touria El Glaoui, the founder, highlighted the fair's importance and the additional space allocated for projects. Among the highlights was Amine El Gotaibi's 'Illuminate the Light' (2023) in the courtyard. Textile pieces featured Ibrahim Ballo's stitched silhouettes and Ahmed Hajoubi's porthole-shaped creation. A partnership with Mr Eazi connected 13 African artists to his album. Huda Lutfi showcased 'Untitled (Healing Devices)', while LOOTY's 'Return Rashid!' (2023) incorporated digital scans of the Rosetta Stone. The event concluded on 15 October 2023.
Key facts
- 11th edition of 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Somerset House, London
- 62 international exhibitors, one-third from Africa, 14 first-timers
- Over 170 artists featured
- Founder Touria El Glaoui emphasized London's special significance
- Courtyard commission: Amine El Gotaibi's 'Illuminate the Light' (2023) with MCC Gallery
- Theresa Weber's site-specific 'Cycles of Unmasking' (2023) in Stamp Stairwell
- Mr Eazi collaboration 'The Evil Genius' linking 13 artists to his album
- LOOTY's 'Return Rashid!' digitally repatriated the Rosetta Stone scans
- Huda Lutfi's 'Untitled (Healing Devices)' reinterprets miniature paintings
- Fair ran until 15 October 2023
Entities
Artists
- Amine El Gotaibi
- Ibrahim Ballo
- Ahmed Hajoubi
- Michaela Younge
- Theresa Weber
- Mr Eazi
- Huda Lutfi
- Touria El Glaoui
Institutions
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
- Somerset House
- MCC Gallery
- Galerie Carole Kvasnevski
- So Art Gallery
- albertz benda
- Richard Saltoun Gallery
- LOOTY
- British Museum
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Somerset House
- Marrakech
- Morocco
- New York
- United States
- Rashid
- Egypt