1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair Returns To Christie’s In Paris

After its profitable Parisian debut final yr, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair makes its return to the French capital from April 7-10, 2022 at Christie’s public sale home on Avenue Matignon. As the primary and solely worldwide artwork truthful devoted to up to date artwork from Africa and its diaspora, 1-54 (whose identify refers back to the 54 international locations that represent the African continent) will function 23 worldwide exhibitors presenting greater than 50 artists in a bigger occasion than final yr’s. I communicate with Touria El Glaoui, 1-54’s Founding Director, concerning the truthful and the up to date African artwork scene.

How and why did the concept to discovered 1-54 come about in 2013, what’s the truthful’s premise and which stereotypes about up to date African artwork do you hope to dispel?

Modern arts from Africa and its diaspora have repeatedly been under- and misrepresented in arts scenes within the West, however it was after supporting my father along with his exhibitions that I noticed how little help or alternative there was for artists from Africa making an attempt to current work internationally. It was from this that I began formulating concepts for 1-54 and consequently we had our first version in London in 2013, New York in 2015, Marrakesh in 2018 and Paris in 2021.

What goes into the curation of the galleries/artists at 1-54?

For each version, galleries are requested to submit a proposal. This proposal is checked out by a range committee that evaluations the design, curatorial foundations and gallery intent. Our values and mission for visibility are carefully tied to our choice to work with a gallery. As a result of we’re working with artists from traditionally marginalized areas of the world, it is very important us that galleries we work with acknowledge this, are working to confront archaic and reductive notions of an “African esthetic” and are attentive to current circumstances and the locality of the truthful.

How a lot gross sales has the truthful generated when it was first launched in 2013 in comparison with immediately? In mild of the very nature of 1-54 – boutique measurement with a deal with up to date African artists – do you witness critical gathering at your present, somewhat than shopping for only for funding functions?

Since 2013, the variety of gross sales has risen, and we’ve got seen costs for works rise. Our smaller measurement permits us to have a detailed relationship with all our galleries and artists and be sure that we may be adaptable to their wants yr after yr. It’s essential that collectors don’t purchase for funding, however somewhat interact with a piece and construct relationships with artists and galleries. Our smaller measurement permits collectors to additionally take their time at every sales space. We additionally attempt to encourage engagement as a lot as doable in our strategy by putting emphasis on dialogue and data alternate via our truthful excursions and 1-54 Discussion board, for instance, which is a public program of panels, artist talks, performances and screenings.

How has the up to date African artwork scene developed over the previous decade, and what affect has 1-54 had on this artwork scene worldwide?

Artwork scenes from throughout the continent will not be solely getting extra consideration internationally, however lastly this consideration is constructive and equitable. This can be a results of laborious work by people, galleries and establishments on the continent driving for inclusion and alter for a number of years now. We’re very proud to be supporting them, as all of us work in the direction of the identical targets.

How do you clarify the present sturdy efficiency and stable market demand for up to date African artwork?

The modifications we’re seeing are a results of many years of laborious work and it’s been a gradual change. Costs have risen, however they’re nonetheless comparatively low compared to the costs for works made by Western artists and bought in Western areas. However that is encouraging because the will increase we’re seeing are sustainable for the market and permit for youthful and fewer financially rich collectors to enter the market.

Who’re the largest consumers of latest African artwork immediately, and what sorts of collectors are you focusing on specifically at 1-54?

It’s extremely numerous, which is smart contemplating how numerous up to date creativity on the continent is and the way different the completely different cultural scenes are. Not like most artwork markets, collectors come from no clear age group, however more and more we’re seeing youthful collectors. That is primarily as a result of there are nonetheless a number of value factors at which to enter the market. Likewise, main collectors come from world wide and throughout the continent. This variety is wholesome for Africa’s up to date artwork scenes and the markets, as there isn’t a reliance on or strain by a single demographic, subsequently discouraging buying tendencies and focused value brackets.

Which classes of latest African artwork are registering probably the most curiosity from collectors?

The range in work from throughout the continent signifies that there aren’t any clear classes or themes. After all, there are connections that could possibly be made between artists on account of shared realities, corresponding to significantly ample supplies, historic socio-political occasions, widespread tradition and traditions that will affect course of or thematic selections. However we have to discourage the viewing of labor inside themes or classes, because it imposes limitations that always play into preconceptions and stereotypes that artists from Africa have lengthy been topic to.