In a neighborhood nicknamed the "Triangle d'Or", African contemporary creation has made space for itself. It's a stone's throw away from the fair that have now settled the galleries Mariane Ibrahim, Cécile Fakhoury and Nathalie Obadia.
Aïcha Snoussi — Photo © Galerie La La Lande
From the 7 to the 10 of April, the window display of the auction house owned by businessman François Pinault, has welcomed 33 year old Aïcha Snoussi and her "Memorial to the drowne". The Tunisian artist, whose works will be displayed at the Palais de Tokyo from April 15, is offering an installation made up of bottles in which are poems and drawings. Testimonies that the artist attributes to an ancient queer civilisation from the Zembra island, off the coast of Tunis. A piece "sold on the first day of the fair to the JOM collection, that is opening a foundation in Dakar", says the gallerist Ilyes Messaoudi from La La Lande gallery. He is also pleased by the interest shown by collector Hasnaine Yavarhoussen, who is considering a collaboration with Snoussi.
Used to this world, gallerist Jacques-Antoine Gannat (African Arty) notes that "the constant flow of international collectors, from dusk until dawn, is not creating the sense of rush that can be found in other fairs". Works by David Olatoye, Chiderah Bosah or Tsoku Maela have been sold by the gallery.
Chiderah Bosah, Homeboy Lewis II, 2022 — African Arty
The South African gallery Everard Read, also present in London, is tossing itself into the Parisian adventure and putting on display works by Lady Skollie (Laura Windvogel) and Blessing Ngobeni. "1-54 has been such a great opportunity to engage with other galleries who share the same goals: bringing the abundance of talent from Africa to growing audiences, and supporting artists from the continent and its diaspora. An African-focused fair like this allows us to engage with collectors who hopefully already consider the messages of African artists important, and can appreciate their unique voices." Said to us gallerist Lena Sulik.
© Everard Read
Gallerist Sabrina Amranifrom Madrid, rejoices for her first participation at the Paris version of the fair, "an incredible platform to meet collectors and institutions sharing the same goals and enthusiasm for African art, domestic and from the diaspora, as our gallery does." An event "the boutique format of which gives a human dimension and puts conversation at the center of the gallerist's activity." For the occasion, Sabrina Amrani presents photographs embroidered with cotton thread done by Portugo-Angolese artist Mónica de Miranda, that question the relationship between Africa and Europe through the situation of African farm workers in the south of Spain. Six of these works have sold, as well as a work on paper by Joël Andrianomearisoa and a painting on fabric by Amina Benbouchta.
Amina Benbouchta, Poor little rich girl, 2022 Cotton canvas embroidered, tapestry fringes. 180 x 180 cm — Courtesy of the artist and Sabrina Amrani
Among all those present (23 galleries) we can also mention Cécile Fakhoury (displaying in the neighbouring space works by Elladj Lincy Deloumeaux) who presents, among others, artworks by Roméo Mivekannin and Dalila Dallas Bouzar. Magnin-A paired Romuald Hazoumé with Ana Silva (whose works have rapidly sold). The Breeder gallery, based in Athens, is presenting works by Johnson Ocheja and Kenechukwu Victor.
Roméo Mivekannin, La leçon de danse d’après Degas (2022) Acrylic and elixir bath on free canvas — © Galerie Cécile Fakhoury
Johnson Ocheja, White Dress (2022) © The Breeder
From May 19 to the 22, 1-54 will hold its New York edition in a new location, the Harlem Parish.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair | 1-54 Paris 2022 on Artsy
