1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has announced the return of the Marrakech fair. This will be the fourth edition and it will hold from 9 February to 12 February 2023. Launched in February 2018, the fair was started to broaden the 1-54 art fair reach and to further diversify its portfolio of exhibiting and promoting gallerists as well as artists who are connected to Africa.
The art fair, which is dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and the African diaspora, will happen at the La Mamounia hotel, recently voted the Best Hotel in the World by Condé Nast Traveller. The fourth edition on the African continent will take place from 9-12 February 2023.
There will be 20 participating galleries and it will include eight African galleries, four of which are based in Morocco. Two African galleries will be exhibiting at the 1-54 art fair for the first time along with 10 other galleries. The two African galleries are La Galerie 38 (Casablanca, Morocco) and Mmarthouse (Johannesburg, South Africa).
Some of the participating galleries from Africa are:
- Galerie 127 (Marrakech, Morocco)
Founded by Nathalie Locatelli in 2006 in Marrakech, Galerie 127 is dedicated exclusively to contemporary photography — the first gallery of its kind in Maghreb. Galerie 127 has organised more than 100 solo and group exhibitions since its opening. From “traditional” to art photography, works are inspired by artists’ personal histories and their quest for beauty and meaning. The gallery’s major themes in photography are related to Morocco, the Arab world, and Africa. Exhibiting artists are Aassmaa Akhannouch, Daoud Aoulad-Syad, Hicham Gardaf and Mouna Saboni.
- Galerie Cécile Fakhoury (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dakar, Senegal and Paris, France)
Galerie Cécile Fakhoury started in 2012 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The gallery is committed to promoting contemporary art across the African continent through the development of a perennial local infrastructure. The gallery and its represented artists aim to engage with historical narratives, preserve the living memory of their countries, and critically redefine their links to the world. Exhibiting artists are Aboudia, Elladj Lincy Deloumeaux, Mariam Abouzid Souali, Rachel Marsil and Yo-Yo Gonthier.
- Galerie Véronique Rieffel (Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire)
Located in Côte d’Ivoire, Galerie Véronique Rieffel is dedicated to contemporary art and design. They represent artists from the Middle East and the African continent, as well as artists who have built strong relationships with these regions of the world. Johanna Mirabel will be exhibiting at the fair.
- L’Atelier 21 (Casablanca, Morocco)
Founded in 2008, L’Atelier 21 is dedicated to supporting and encouraging artistic development. The gallery has established itself as a space committed to promoting and diffusing plastic arts in Morocco. Exhibiting artists are, Abderrahim Yamou, Hako Hankson, M’barek Bouhchichi, Mohamed Baala and Moustapha Baidi Oumarou.
- La Galerie 38 (Casablanca, Morocco)
Started in 2010 by Fihr Kettani and Mohammed Chaoui El Faiz, La Galerie 38 lends its walls to emerging and established artists, always striving to explore artistic research and participate in the positive development of the contemporary and urban art scene. La Galerie 38 positions itself as a meeting place; a creation and dissemination space of contemporary art for all audiences. Exhibiting artists are, Abdoulaye Konaté, Barthélémy Toguo, Siriki Ky and Soly Cissé.
- Loft Art Gallery (Casablanca, Morocco)
With its dedication to research and work on the history of art and programmes that alternate between solo and group exhibitions, Loft Art Gallery has been contributing to the influence of the Moroccan art scene since its beginnings. Exhibiting artists are, Amina Agueznay, Joana Choumali and Mous Lamrabat.
Mmarthouse, also known as The Arthouse, focuses on not only exposing collectors and the world to their work, but also providing them with an animated conversation, building a space for collaboration and growth, and increasing a sense of cultural capital for its audience. Reggie Khumalo will be exhibiting at the fair.
- THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE (Lisbon, Portugal; Luanda, Angola)
THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE is an international contemporary art gallery with exhibition spaces in Luanda, Angola and Lisbon, Portugal. It is the first contemporary African gallery in Portugal that focuses not exclusively on Lusophone circles, but also on the emerging aesthetics of cultural and artistic productions from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, Brazil, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Maya-Inès Touam will be exhibiting at the fair.
The 1-54 art fair will feature works by over 60 artists from Africa and the African diaspora, ranging from painting and sculpture to mixed media and installation. Artists making their debut at the Marrakech fair include Kehinde Wiley, Thandiwe Muriu, Johanna Mirabel, Marlon Amaro, Maya Inès Touam, Mariam Abouzid Souali, Ismail Zaidy Bathelemy Toguo and Omar Ba. Presenting new works at the fair are returning favourites which include Abdoulaye Konaté, Nú Barreto, Youssef Nabil, Joanna Choumali, Ana Silva, Mous Lamrabat and Prince Gyasi.
