1-54 London

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is the most important art fair when it comes to promote African contemporary art. 1-54 London takes place in the prestigious Somerset House, in the heart of London, and showcases around 40 leading international galleries and over 130 artists. All forms of art are represented: photography, painting, sculpture and so on, in an exhibition that promotes dialogue and exchange. 1-54 London reflects the diversity and the cultural wealth of Africa, with a profusion of colors and materials. 1-54 runs two other fairs in 1-54 New York and 1-54 Marrakech.

Lee Cavaliere

Touria El Glaoui shares her views!

Founding Director

1 minute in the booth

by Pauline Loeb

1-54 London 2023

Location

Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 1LA
United Kingdom

Dates

12 – 15 October 2023

Entrance Fee

General Admission: £25
Seniors & Disabled: £10
Children Under 12: Free

Mediums

Painting
Sculpture
Drawing

Art Periods

Contemporary

Contact

info@1-54.com
Website

Ceramic Brussels

Insights 1-54 London

Lee Cavaliere

Touria El Glaoui

Founding Director

What would you say is the DNA of 1-54 London?

I wanted to give artists a platform for international visibility, so it was natural to choose a city that is known for being an international art hub. Both London and Paris have a strong connection to the continent, but I was living in London at the time so that also swayed me. Furthermore, the London Fair coincides with Frieze, which means the collector base in London is even larger and more international than it usually is, giving us a greater opportunity to engage with collectors.

What type of galleries are chosen to exhibit, and why?

1-54 works with a wide variety of galleries, so this really depends on who applies to our fair. Sometimes we work with emerging galleries, and other times we work with more established ones. However, we want to be a platform enabling younger and upcoming galleries from the continent and around the world to access the international art scene. To recall, our mission is to improve the representation of contemporary African Art in worldwide exhibitions. For this year’s edition, we would like to engage with galleries based in the neighbourhood, focusing on a programme that fosters a sense of community and connects with local partners.

What is the price range of pieces? Who is the average buyer?

The prices of pieces can range anywhere from $4,000 to upwards of $65,000. We’ve found that works valued in the $1,000 to $6,500 bracket in our first edition in London were valued in the $26,000 bracket back in 2019. Furthermore, several artists have seen an increase between 70-80%, such as Malian artists Aboulaye Konaté and Amadou Sanago and British-Trinidadian artist Zak Ové. There is certainly a rising interest in contemporary art from Africa and its diasporas. In the past ten years, scores of commercial galleries are opening new outposts on both the African continent and Europe, new major museums are opening on the African continent, major international galleries are collaborating with artists from the continent, and leading auctions houses are establishing specialised departments in contemporary African art. Contemporary African art is thriving more than ever. Today, our collector base is very broad and diversified, from young buyers who are just starting off their collections to more established collectors.

“our mission is to improve the representation of contemporary African Art in worldwide exhibitions.”

VOLTA Basel

© 1-54

Who is the typical attendee of 1-54 London?

1-54 has consistently been the space for globally spread, international individuals to socialise and exchange.The fair is attended by collectors, students, researchers, cultural and artistic practitioners, art enthusiasts, and even families. The main underlying theme that joins all our attendees is that they all have an interest in artistic practices from Africa and its diaspora.

What strategy – physical as digital – will you adopt in the short to medium term?

Our strategy is to focus on our physical fairs, which are the most anticipated social events in the yearly calendar and allow like-minded people to meet. We cannot wait to go back to the continent with 1-54 Marrakech, especially after the fair has been cancelled for two years in a row. We very much look forward to reuniting with the vibrant artistic community there. However, we will continue to strengthen and expand our presence online to be able to reach wider audiences. This year we are pursuing our partnership with Artsy, allowing collectors to browse works online for each edition. Furthermore, we are very active on our social media, producing studio visits with unique artists, interviews with key players in the industry, and insightful market research.
To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we recently rebranded the design of our logo, in collaboration with design studio, TM, as we wanted to emphasise togetherness, unity, and the pride that we have for our continent. 1-54 takes its name from the 54 countries that make up the continent, and we feel that our new logo not only draws attention to our role as a unifier of many things — people, countries, cultures, and art forms — but reflects our ongoing mission to promote contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.

What are two other art fairs you would suggest?

I would suggest Art Dubai and Art X Lagos.

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@robilantvoenagallery at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. @stanislas.mf presents an incredible Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi.

#artemisiagentileschi #antiquepainting #tefaf #oldmasterpainting #femaleartist #renaissanceart #renaissance

@robilantvoenagallery at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. @stanislas.mf presents an incredible Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi.

#artemisiagentileschi #antiquepainting #tefaf #oldmasterpainting #femaleartist #renaissanceart #renaissance
...

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Discover my full coverage of @tefaf Maastricht 2024, now on artfairmag.com!

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #contemporaryart #modernart #artofinstagram #artlover #artcollector

Discover my full coverage of @tefaf Maastricht 2024, now on artfairmag.com!

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #contemporaryart #modernart #artofinstagram #artlover #artcollector
...

774 31
Landau Fine Art at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Founder Jennifer Landau presents a masterpiece by Vassily Kandinsky from 1910.

#vassilykandinsky #kandinsky #tefaf #tefafmaastricht #abstraction #masterpiece #modernart #modernpainting

Landau Fine Art at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Founder Jennifer Landau presents a masterpiece by Vassily Kandinsky from 1910.

#vassilykandinsky #kandinsky #tefaf #tefafmaastricht #abstraction #masterpiece #modernart #modernpainting
...

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In conversation with Touria el Glaoui, the founder of @154artfair. She discusses the evolution of 1-54, the art fair dedicated to contemporary African art. Since its inception in London in 2013, 1-54 has expanded globally to New York, Marrakech, and Hong Kong, aiming to increase visibility for African and diaspora artists. This growth highlights 1-54’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and showcasing the diversity of African artistic talent on the world stage.
Thank you Touria for this inspiring conversation!
@telglaoui 

#154 #154artfair #154hongkong #154marrakech #christies #touriaelglaoui #africanart #africanartist #africanartists

In conversation with Touria el Glaoui, the founder of @154artfair. She discusses the evolution of 1-54, the art fair dedicated to contemporary African art. Since its inception in London in 2013, 1-54 has expanded globally to New York, Marrakech, and Hong Kong, aiming to increase visibility for African and diaspora artists. This growth highlights 1-54’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and showcasing the diversity of African artistic talent on the world stage.
Thank you Touria for this inspiring conversation!
@telglaoui

#154 #154artfair #154hongkong #154marrakech #christies #touriaelglaoui #africanart #africanartist #africanartists
...

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@holy_club_group at @artdubai 2024. @riccardo_perillo presents a piece by @mandelliart.

#artdubai #artdubai2024 #matteomandelli #fontana #digitalart #contemporaryart

@holy_club_group at @artdubai 2024. @riccardo_perillo presents a piece by @mandelliart.

#artdubai #artdubai2024 #matteomandelli #fontana #digitalart #contemporaryart
...

203 19
@galerielucasratton at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Founder @lucas_ratton presents a Dan figure from Ivory Coast, late 19th century, early 20th century.

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #tribalart #africanart #africansculpture #woodensculpture

@galerielucasratton at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Founder @lucas_ratton presents a Dan figure from Ivory Coast, late 19th century, early 20th century.

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #tribalart #africanart #africansculpture #woodensculpture
...

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@danielkatzgallery at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Director Tom Davies presents a polychromatic limestone head of The Virgin, from circa 1400.

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #tefaf2024 #antiquesculpture #fineart #religiousart #religioussculpture #antiqueart #antiquities

@danielkatzgallery at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Director Tom Davies presents a polychromatic limestone head of The Virgin, from circa 1400.

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #tefaf2024 #antiquesculpture #fineart #religiousart #religioussculpture #antiqueart #antiquities
...

371 25
My full article about @artdubai 2024 is now online on artfairmag.com! 

#artdubai #artdubai2024 #dubai #contemporaryart #modernart #artcollector

My full article about @artdubai 2024 is now online on artfairmag.com!

#artdubai #artdubai2024 #dubai #contemporaryart #modernart #artcollector
...

468 16
📣Upcoming ‘1 minute in the booth’ at Tefaf Maastricht 2024:
• Robilant+Voena: London, Milan, Paris, NYC
@robilantvoenagallery 
• Galerie Lucas Ratton: Paris
@galerielucasratton 
• Landau Fine Art: Montreal
• Daniel Katz: London
@danielkatzgallery 

#tefafmaastricht #tefaf2024 #tefafmaastricht2024 #antiqueart #artdealer #modernart

📣Upcoming ‘1 minute in the booth’ at Tefaf Maastricht 2024:
• Robilant+Voena: London, Milan, Paris, NYC
@robilantvoenagallery
• Galerie Lucas Ratton: Paris
@galerielucasratton
• Landau Fine Art: Montreal
• Daniel Katz: London
@danielkatzgallery

#tefafmaastricht #tefaf2024 #tefafmaastricht2024 #antiqueart #artdealer #modernart
...

152 9
@waddingtoncustot at @tefaf Maastricht 2024 is definitely a must see booth! It features some exquise pieces of some of the greatest modern and contemporary masters: Pierre Soulages, Picasso, Hans Hartung, Bernar Venet, Barry Flanagan, Odilon Redon, and more!
Make sure to stop by if you are at TEFAF!

Thank you @studioguillaumebenoit for filming 🙏

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #hanshartung #pierressoulages #pablopicasso #bernarvenet #odilonredon #modernart #contemporaryart #modernmasters

@waddingtoncustot at @tefaf Maastricht 2024 is definitely a must see booth! It features some exquise pieces of some of the greatest modern and contemporary masters: Pierre Soulages, Picasso, Hans Hartung, Bernar Venet, Barry Flanagan, Odilon Redon, and more!
Make sure to stop by if you are at TEFAF!

Thank you @studioguillaumebenoit for filming 🙏

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #hanshartung #pierressoulages #pablopicasso #bernarvenet #odilonredon #modernart #contemporaryart #modernmasters
...

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@tefaf Maastricht 2024 is clearly my « home fair » as I’ve been part of it both behind the scene and as a visitor for the past 14 years! I share with you my personal not-to-be-missed spots!

• @galerie.chenel 
• @tomasso.art 
• @rafaelvallsgallery 
•.@seankellygallery 
• @vancleefarpels 
• @friedman_benda 
• @galeriekugel 

Green booth where I’m seated: @lucaburzio 🤩

Thank you @studioguillaumebenoit for filming 🙏🏻 

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #tefaf2024 #vancleefarpels #artlovers #artcollector #tefafmaastricht2024 #designfurniture

@tefaf Maastricht 2024 is clearly my « home fair » as I’ve been part of it both behind the scene and as a visitor for the past 14 years! I share with you my personal not-to-be-missed spots!

• @galerie.chenel
• @tomasso.art
• @rafaelvallsgallery
•.@seankellygallery
• @vancleefarpels
• @friedman_benda
• @galeriekugel

Green booth where I’m seated: @lucaburzio 🤩

Thank you @studioguillaumebenoit for filming 🙏🏻

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #tefaf2024 #vancleefarpels #artlovers #artcollector #tefafmaastricht2024 #designfurniture
...

2384 171
@andrehnschiptjenko at @artdubai 2024. Co-founder @cileneandrehn presents a painting by @corneliabaltes.

#artdubai #corneliabaltes #corneliabaltesart #contemporaryart #abstractart

@andrehnschiptjenko at @artdubai 2024. Co-founder @cileneandrehn presents a painting by @corneliabaltes.

#artdubai #corneliabaltes #corneliabaltesart #contemporaryart #abstractart
...

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