1-54 New York Shrinks but Surprises with Discovery
The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, founded by Touria El Glaoui in 2013, is set to take place at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Manhattan. The upcoming 2026 edition will feature 20 exhibitors, a reduction from the 28 present in 2025. Among the showcased works are Rommulo Vieira Conceição’s pieces displayed by Aura, Kendra Frorup's 'A Light Sense' (2022) at The Current: Baha Mar Gallery and Art Center, and Marcel Gotène's 'Untitled' (circa 1960) from Loeve and Co. El Glaoui noted that the art market's current state has dampened the fair's energy.
Key facts
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair was founded in 2013 by Touria El Glaoui.
- The fair is held at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Manhattan.
- The 2026 New York edition has 20 exhibitors, down from 28 in 2025.
- Rommulo Vieira Conceição's work is shown by Brazilian gallery Aura.
- Kendra Frorup's 'A Light Sense' (2022) is shown by The Current: Baha Mar Gallery and Art Center.
- Eymric Moderne's 'Les trois oiseaux en échos' (2021) is shown by TM Arthouse.
- Marcel Gotène's 'Untitled' (circa 1960) is shown by Loeve and Co.
- Sophia Bounou's 'Viridarium' (2025) is shown by Blond Contemporary.
- Candice Tavares's 'Inside' (2026) is shown by Tanya Weddemire Gallery.
- Touria El Glaoui said the New York fair's energy is deflated due to the art market.
Entities
Artists
- Touria El Glaoui
- Rommulo Vieira Conceição
- Kendra Frorup
- Eymric Moderne
- Marcel Gotène
- Sophia Bounou
- Candice Tavares
- Edoardo Biancheri
Institutions
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
- Aura
- The Current: Baha Mar Gallery and Art Center
- TM Arthouse
- Loeve and Co
- Blond Contemporary
- Tanya Weddemire Gallery
Locations
- New York
- Manhattan
- Starrett-Lehigh Building
- Brazil
- Bahamas
- Martinique
- Paris
- London
- Marrakesh
- Philadelphia