The opulence of the tradition will host the opulence of the contemporary, proving that sophistication is timeless. The palace that was once home to dukes and queens during The Golden Age is about to witness the XXI century glory of the brave new world. Art is indeed the cement capable of unifying eras, styles, and nations. It’s also been being the “Soma” that enables humankind to emotionally endure hard times, such as you will find in the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2021 at the Somerset House, London.

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has this extraordinary aura that brings colors to London’s autumnal days and innovation to the classical architecture of the Somerset House. It is the Orixas’ elixir to the visitors’ eyes through the sight of each provocative creation from the lost-civilizations’ descendants that continue to show their greatness through the splendor of their art. The Somerset House being this palatial building in Renaissance style and the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair being this avant-garde type of exhibition make this event a unique experience of keeping-and-breaking traditions, all at the same time.

The 1-54 Art Fair Online Powered by Christie’s will also return

The consistency of the 1-54 project and the commitment of its founders have guaranteed annual editions in London since 2013, in New York since 2015, in Marrakesh since 2018, and debuted at Christie’s Paris this year. Organizers of the event announced that the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair will be partnering again with the prestigious Christie’s and the impeccable curator Christine Eyene to present an exhibition at the Duke Street space and an online one, the 1-54 Online Powered by Christie’s. They ensure that collectors and art lovers will have the best of the Contemporary African Art displayed there. From 14 – 31 October 2021, works from 1-54 will then be available to purchase and view on Artsy.

David Uzochukwu, SPECTRE from the series Mare Monstrum / Drown In My Magic, 2021, Pigment inkjet print on fine art paper, 100 x 80 cm, Ed 1/3. Courtesy of Galerie Number 8.

Although the name 1-54 is a reference to “One Continent, 54 countries”, it promotes not only its citizens creations, but also afrodiaspora’s and the richness that their experiences in foreign lands add to their art. The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair successfully destroys the misconception that African art is only “tribal masks and other ethnological objects”. It is daunting, sophisticated, and beyond obvious. This is expected to be the most glorious and the heftiest edition since its inception. The Somerset House, in astonishment, will gaze at the fresh, vibrant, and exciting art of more than 150 African and afrodiaspora artists, including the celebrated Micha Serraf, Themba Khumalo, Tewodros Hagos, and Cornelius Annor.

Collectors can expect to see 48 exhibitors from all over the globe, being that 20 are from Africa, which is a record in international fairs. Also, 13 African galleries will be in London for the first time providing the market with novelties. Visitors will be mesmerized by the variety of techniques, materials, and styles that reflect the strong personality of the African Continent and will bring indulgence to their senses all through the exhibition.

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is a refined gift to London and to the Somerset House. Indeed, a privilege to witness the vivacity of this new generation of artists avid for breaking with the paradigms and cliches through their talent. Unquestionably, it is extraordinary art for extraordinary people.