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.
