1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 Highlights


17 October 2023
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 Highlights 1
Alexis Peskine, Zana Masombuka, Romuald Hazoumè, and Owusu-Ankomah, October Gallery, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair London (12–15 October 2023). Courtesy October Gallery, London. Photo: Daniel Jones.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 Highlights 2
LR Vandy, Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, Alexis Peskine, and Zana Masombuka, October Gallery, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair London (12–15 October 2023). Courtesy October Gallery, London. Photo: Daniel Jones.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 Highlights 3
Malangatana Ngwenya, Richard Saltoun Gallery, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair London (12–15 October 2023). Courtesy Richard Saltoun Gallery, London.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 Highlights 4
Malangatana Ngwenya and Berni Searle, Richard Saltoun Gallery, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair London (12–15 October 2023). Courtesy Richard Saltoun Gallery, London.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 Highlights 5
Stacey Gillian Abe and Cydne Jasmin Coleby, Unit London, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair London (12–15 October 2023). Courtesy the artists and Unit London, London.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 Highlights 6
Stacey Gillian Abe, Unit London, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair London (12–15 October 2023). Courtesy the artist and Unit London, London.

Within an ambience that seamlessly combines spaciousness and intimacy, Somerset House hosted the 11th edition of 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in central London from 12 to 15 October 2023.

This year, the fair featured 62 galleries with representation from over 170 artists from 31 countries.

October Gallery's booth was among our favourites, showcasing fresh photographic works by Zana Masombuka including Nges'rhodlweni: eBandla 3 (2023), paintings by Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga and Owusu-Ankomah. Additionally, LR Vandy's sculptures, hand-sewn from rope, added a three-dimensional element to the presentation.

Unit London's dual presentation of Stacey Gillian Abe and Cydne Jasmin Coleby was warmly received. Both artists explore the uncertainty of collective and personal memory, contemplating the enduring influence of tradition and history on our contemporary perspective. Abe's indigo portraits of the Black body were particularly striking, examining the historical significance of the dye within the context of the slave trade.

Another standout was Richard Saltoun Gallery's presentation of works by Mozambican artist Malangatana Ngwenya. Ngwenya masterfully fuses elements from his Indigenous heritage with symbols representing progress, politics, and art.

One of his paintings, o vôo pombos sagrados [The Flight of Sacred Doves] (1993), invited viewers to traverse the canvas, moving from tightly clustered figures to contorted animals and plants. Eyes, limbs, and lips expand and unravel in vibrant hues of red, green, blue, and purple, creating a mesmerising visual experience.


More in Advisory Picks

Find in Advisory Picks

No results found.
Ocula discover the best in contemporary art icon.
Follow Zana Masombuka
Stay ahead.
Receive updates on new artworks,
exhibitions and articles.
Your personal data is held in accordance with our privacy policy.
Follow
Do you have an Ocula account?
Ocula discover the best in contemporary art icon.
Get Access
Join Ocula to request price and availability of artworks, exhibition price lists and build a collection of favourite artists, galleries and artworks.
Do you have an Ocula account? Login
What best describes your interest in art?

Subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming exhibitions, available works, events and more.
By clicking Sign Up or Continue with Facebook or Google, you agree to Ocula's Terms & Conditions. Your personal data is held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Thank you for joining us. Just one more thing...
Soon you will receive an email asking you to complete registration. If you do not receive it then you can check and edit the email address you entered.
Close
Thank you for joining us.
You can now request price and availability of artworks, exhibition price lists and build a collection of favourite artists, galleries and artworks.
Close
Welcome back to Ocula
Enter your email address and password below to login.
Reset Password
Enter your email address to receive a password reset link.
Reset Link Sent
We have sent you an email containing a link to reset your password. Simply click the link and enter your new password to complete this process.
Login