Since its founding in London in 2013, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has established itself as the leading international fair dedicated to contemporary African and diasporic art. Each edition brings together established artists and emerging talents, making it an essential event for art lovers, collectors, and professionals alike. London 2025 is no exception, offering a rich and varied panorama of African artistic expression.
Heritage and New Horizons
Gathering more than 50 galleries from around the world, this edition presents an impressive range of established and emerging artists, reflecting the energy and diversity of African creativity. Among the established figures are Hassan Hajjaj—often dubbed the “Moroccan Andy Warhol”—Ibrahim El-Salahi, Amina Agueznay, Seydou Keïta, and Malick Sidibé, whose work has helped shape international recognition of contemporary African aesthetics.
Alongside them, a rising generation stands out for its bold and innovative approaches. Cyrus Kabiru (Kenya) reimagines objects through poetic recycling, Pamela Enyonu (Uganda) explores the female condition in expressive compositions, while Beau Disundi Nzazi (DRC) delves into his country’s social transformations through vibrant abstraction.
A distinctive feature of this edition is its focus on Caribbean artists, such as Edouard Duval-Carrié (Haiti), whose installations evoke memory and diaspora, and Khadijah Ibrahiim (Trinidad and Tobago), who blends contemporary art with folkloric heritage. This focus highlights the artistic dialogues between African and Caribbean diasporas and the influence of cultural circulation on Afro-contemporary aesthetics.
The Fair as a Space for Conversation
Beyond the main exhibitions, 1-54 offers an ambitious program of satellite events. Special projects and installations will take over partner cultural venues across London, offering audiences immersive and original experiences. Among them, the exhibition “Rhythm & Roots”, curated by photographer Jennie Baptiste and curator Kinnari Saraiya, invites visitors on a journey through cultural and aesthetic roots.
In addition, 1-54 Forum presents a series of talks addressing key issues on the contemporary African art scene such as the circulation of artworks, the sustainability of artistic models, the role of institutions, and the emergence of new cultural economies. These sessions, followed by professionals and enthusiasts alike, make the fair a true laboratory for reflection and exchange.
An International Ambition
This 13th edition reaffirms the international ambition of 1-54. “The goal was never to create a fair for African artists, but an international fair built on the quality and diversity of African expressions,” recalls founder Touria El Glaoui.
Beyond London, 1-54 now holds annual editions in New York and Marrakech, as well as pop-up events in Paris and Hong Kong, reflecting the growing interest of the Asian art market. Over the past twelve years, the fair has established itself as a key player in the global art ecosystem, building bridges between Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
After London, 1-54 will next bring together contemporary African art enthusiasts in Marrakech from 5 to 8 February 2026.
