Operating across multiple continents is a common strategy for global art fairs, but in the case of Contemporary African Art Fair 1-54, an international approach is essential to paint a comprehensive picture of African art from the continent and of its diaspora. The New York edition of the fair (May 18-21) will be the biggest since founder Touria El Glaoui extended her London-born project across the Atlantic in 2015. This year’s edition picks up Malt House in the Manhattanville Factory District in Harlem, a space that once housed Gavin Brown’s business.
“The beauty of hosting three fairs on three different continents is that it allows us to build a strong network among our galleries,” says El Glaoui. “We have built a certain loyalty in the development of young galleries.
The Ivorian gallery LouiSimone Guirandou, for example, is making its debut in New York. His stand presents Ange Dakouo Mindset #1 (2022), a large mixed media tapestry, as well as a captivating and colorful cityscape by Ablade Glover.
The work of Los Angeles-based Bahamian artist April Bey is in the group exhibition of 1-54 Sparkling Islands, another Caribbean postcard at Chelsea
© the artist, courtesy 1-54
African Diaspora
Among the returning exhibitors is the Lower East Side’s Fridman Gallery, whose booth features a dual display of abstract paintings by Surinamese-Dutch artist Remy Jungerman alongside charcoal drawings by Ethiopian-Israeli artist Tigist Yosef Ron who reminiscent of family photographs. “Our presentation is indicative of the global reach of the African diaspora and the wide variety of materials employed by artists with roots in the continent,” says gallery founder Iliya Fridman.
The fair has also expanded its offer with a simultaneous collective exhibition in Chelsea, Sparkling Islands, another Caribbean postcard (until May 20), which brings together the works of 13 contemporary artists with Caribbean roots to celebrate the cultural impact of the region.
