AKAA – Also Known As Africa – 2023, Paris

I discovered AKAA-short for Also Known As Africa last year and I love dit. The fair,  dedicated to the art of Africa and its diaspora, features about 40 international galleries (one-third African, one-third Parisian, and one-third European) at the heart of Carreau du Temple. Its director, Victoria Mann, and artistic director, Armelle Dakouo, give their all to AKAA, which returns the favor.

The atmosphere this year was relaxed and engaging, the color was everywhere, and the quality of the works was high.

I had a real crush on three stands: Backslash Gallery, which presented five works by Fahamu Pecou, specially created for the occasion. Fahamu represents male bodies of great beauty, highlighted by an interesting draping work. By Lara Sedbon Gallery, based in Paris, exhibited several artists, notably Eugénie Modai’s ecology-questioning collages and Rebecca Brodskis’ stunning portraits of women from different ethnicities. Finally, the 193 Gallery’s pop walls hosted a solo show by April Bey, the artist behind the artwork that became the fair’s main promotional material. A fair not to be missed under any circumstances next year for those who might have missed it this time!

Art Dealers Interviews

Band of Vices, Primo Marella Gallery, Afronova and MCC Gallery. Dive into the 2023 edition of AKAA, Also Known As Africa, dedicated to the art from Africa and its diaspora. The fair takes places annually at the Carreau du Temple, in Paris.

I think St-ART is definitely a fair to visit, a haven for art discoveries. I likes the way it balances emerging artists and more established names to meet all kind of tastes and budgets.