The 1-54 Contemporary African Art fair in Marrakech will return from February 9–12, 2023. It will be an exciting time with the return of 1-54 Marrakech. The leading international art fair devoted to contemporary art from Africa and the African diaspora. Kicking off from next week, the fourth iteration will take place in Marrakech, Morocco. Here are 10 artists to watch out for whose work will be displayed at this year’s festival, listed in no particular order.
Ismail Zaidy is a talented photographer based in Marrakech, Morocco. Born in 1997, Zaidy draws inspiration from the emotions he experiences, which are the driving force behind his works. He has created a number of photographs from his family home’s rooftop, which has become his personal studio named Studio Sa3ada (meaning ‘Happiness Studio’). Family is a central theme in his works and he often features his siblings in his photographs. The faces of his family members are either covered or uncovered, yet they manage to convey the artist’s feelings. The landscapes, materials, fabrics and pastel colors used in his works create an intimate and charming world. Zaidy has collaborated with renowned brands such as GQ and Vogue Arabia, and is also known for his NFT works on platforms like SuperRare and Foundation. Currently, he is based in Morocco and is represented by MAÂT Gallery.
Image Courtesy of MAÂT Gallery
Born in 1963 in Casablanca, Morocco, Amina Agueznay is a contemporary artist who currently lives and works in the same city. She initially left Morocco to study architecture in the U.S. and spent a decade abroad before returning to her home country. Upon her return, she embarked on a journey to understand, interpret, and construct matter and space through her art. In this process, she delved into the rich artisanal resources of Morocco, experimenting with different mediums and collaborating with skilled artisans. As her body of work evolved, the collaborative element became increasingly significant. Her recent installation ‘Curriculum Vitae’ is a testament to this, acting as a record of the intangible, gradual passage of time and the precious quality of connection to the past. Agueznay’s recent works explore the natural world, with a focus on building landscapes and recreating spaces that once existed. Talismans also play a prominent role in her work, granting access or protection, and standing guard over the pieces. She is represented by Loft Art Gallery.
From her collective workshops to museum installations, Agueznay’s work is deeply rooted in its spatial environment. Over the course of her career, she has participated in international, individual, and group exhibitions and conducted extensive research into the craft process in Morocco. In 2022, she served as the artistic director for the Kingdom of Bahrain Pavilion at World Expo Dubai, further solidifying her reputation as a leading contemporary artist.
Image Courtesy of Loft Art Gallery
Kehinde Wiley is represented by TEMPLON Gallery. Born in 1977 in Los Angeles, he currently resides and creates in New York City. Wiley explores themes of racial and sexual identity through his works that merge the traditional with street culture. By reimagining the symbols of power and prestige, he creates a political critique of Western symbols of male domination and brings visibility to those who have historically been excluded from representation.
Wiley’s unique style has gained global recognition and he was even chosen by former President Barack Obama to paint his official presidential portrait in 2018. He holds a BFA from San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Yale University School of Art. Over the years, he has been featured in numerous solo exhibitions and group shows.
Image courtesy of Templon, Paris – Brussels – New York
Youssef Nabil is an Egyptian-born photographer who currently resides and works in New York City. Nabil started his career in photography in 1992, creating staged scenes that were inspired by the golden age of Egyptian cinema. While working as a photographer’s assistant in New York and Paris, he expanded his skills by taking formal portraits of artists and friends, experimenting with different formats, and placing his subjects in dream-like realms.
After returning to Egypt in 1999, Nabil continued to develop his hand-painted photography style and produced portraits of prominent writers, singers, and film stars of the Arab world. In the years since, he has also created self-portraits that reflect his life away from Egypt, further exploring themes of dislocation and identity. Nabil’s work has been exhibited internationally, showcasing his unique blend of traditional and contemporary photography techniques.
Rachel Marsil, a French artist born in Lille in 1995 and based in Paris, explores themes of identity and representation through her artworks in painting, drawing, textile, and ceramics. Her works delve into her personal history and create a vivid, intimate universe of interior scenes, moments of togetherness, and subtle stillness. Marsil’s paintings feature a series of graceful silhouettes that appear contemplative, their peaceful gaze fixed on the viewer, their faces mesmerizing, and their features distinctive yet familiar from one figure to the next. she is represented by Galerie Cécile Fakhoury.
Marsil’s recent exhibitions include J’aimerais me voir dans tes yeux at Galerie Cécile Fakhoury in Dakar (2022), Art X Lagos (2022), Memoria: Récit d’une autre histoire in Muscat and Abidjan (2021), and 100% L’Expo at La Villette in Paris (2021).
Image courtesy of Galerie Cécile Fakhoury
Alioune Diagne is represented by TEMPLON Gallery. Born 1985 in Fatick, Senegal. Diagne lives between Dakar and Vienne, France. A graduate of Dakar’s Beaux-Arts in 2008, Alioune Diagne gained recognition in 2013 for creating “figuro-abstro,” a unique mode of expression. His work, made up of tiny unique elements forming a figure, showcases the complexities and vibrancy of daily life in the black community and African diaspora. He has been featured in numerous exhibitions in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Since 2011 his work has been a part of Senegal’s national collection since 2019.
Image Courtesy of Templon, Paris – Brussels – New York.
M’barek Bouhchichi, represented by L’Atelier 21 gallery, was born in 1975 in Akka, Morocco and lives and works in Tahanaout. A former teacher of art, his evolution from abstract painter has led to works that offer a personal interpretation. Through various mediums such as painting, drawing, installation, and video, he delves into individual expression and its relationship with larger social, poetic, and historical systems. His art reflects a personal narrative and ongoing dialogue between experience and idea. His works can be found in notable collections including the Musée National d’Art Moderne du Centre Georges Pompidou (France), the Musée d’Art Contemporain Africain Al Maaden (Morocco), the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (Morocco), and the Diana Holding Group (Morocco).
Image Courtesy L’Atelier 21 Art Gallery, Casablanca
Audrey Lyall, represented by Superposition Gallery, was born in 1996 in San Francisco, California and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. She is a multimedia artist who incorporates a range of materials including collaged paper and found objects in her maximalist Afrofuturist paintings, sculptures, and clothing. Her art delves into themes of racial identity, beauty standards, and perception, with her recent works focusing on the contrast between artificial beauty regimens and traditional African diaspora beauty practices. Lyall holds a BA in Critical and Visual Studies from Pratt Institute.
Image courtesy of Superposition Gallery
Abdoulaye Konaté, represented by La Galerie 38, blends political commentary with traditional craftsmanship in his textile-based installations. Born in 1953 in Diré, Mali, he now lives and works in Bamako. Konaté’s use of woven and dyed clothes and indigenous materials merge global subject matter with a local aesthetic. His abstract and figurative works explore social and political issues, as well as environmental and personal themes, with a focus on the African tradition of using textiles for communication.
In his joyful compositions, Konaté delves into the impacts of war, power struggles, religion, globalization, ecological changes, and the AIDS epidemic on societies and individuals. His work is a vibrant and symbolic representation of the world he lives in, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a universe of meaning.
Image courtesy of La Galerie 38
Mous Lamrabat is represented by Loft Art Gallery. Was born in Morocco in 1983 and currently lives and works in Ghent, Belgium. After obtaining an education in interior architecture, he shifted his focus to photography, which he taught himself. Through his lens, Lamrabat tackles fashion photography with irony to critique consumer society, blending opulent luxury and Moroccan cultural references with counterfeiting. He aims to showcase Moroccan culture from a unique perspective, often featuring models with masked faces and bodies in Moroccan landscapes. Lamrabat has worked with several magazines, including Naatal, Tush Magazine, and Stylist France.
Image courtesy of Loft Art Gallery
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