Pan-African art is taking center stage at the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, with its Marrakech edition showcasing the diversity and richness of the continent’s artistic heritage.
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Touria El Glaoui is proud of what the fair has accomplished in terms of elevating contemporary African artists, but she says there’s still work to be done.
The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair highlights the plurality of the continent – 54 countries, each with unique histories and geopolitics. The fair’s reach has grown progressively across three cities: London (since 2013), New York (since 2015) and Marrakech (since 2018). ‘The 2025 Marrakech edition, on view now through February 2, hosts some thirty exhibitors from fifteen different countries.’ The fair’s reach has grown progressively across three cities: London (since 2013), New York (since 2015) and Marrakech (since 2018). ‘The 2025 Marrakech edition, on view now through February 2, hosts some thirty exhibitors from fifteen different countries.’ Fifteen of this year’s galleries hail from the African continent; ten are based in Morocco.
The Contemporary African Art Fair is a premier platform showcasing innovative and diverse art from the continent.
Founded in 2014, the fair has grown to become one of Africa's leading art events.
With over 50 galleries participating from across Africa and beyond, visitors can expect to discover emerging talents and established artists pushing boundaries in mediums like painting, sculpture, photography, and installation art.
The fair also features panel discussions, artist talks, and workshops, providing a rich experience for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
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1-54 helped spearhead a market infrastructure that didn’t exist, and ‘some artists who have shown at the fair have been discovered by bigger galleries and are now having their work shown at larger fairs, widening the global dialogue.’ Yesterday (Jan. 30), on the first day of 1-54 Marrakech, Tate acquired a work by Amoako Boafo from a group presentation at Gallery 1957.
The Role of Marrakech
Since its inception in 2018, how has the fair evolved in Marrakech? ‘Since we launched, it has grown to become a vital platform for African and diaspora art.’ Even though it’s based on the continent, it’s truly global in terms of the audience that is coming.
Located in western Morocco, Marrakech is a city steeped in history and culture.
The city's name translates to 'the land of God' in Arabic.
Marrakech has been an important trading center since the 11th century, with influences from various cultures evident in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
The city is home to over 1 million inhabitants and attracts millions of tourists each year.
Major attractions include Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, and the vibrant souks (markets).
Artists Boosted by 1-54
There are definitely many artists that I think were boosted in terms of their appreciation with the international audience… ‘With the fairs in their globality, we have two categories.’ There are the ones who were really new to the art market in general and who have seen a real boost in their careers in the past five years.
Nourishing Her Own Collection
I had two phases of my collection. I’m the daughter of an artist, Hassan El Glaoui, so my collection was completely centered on the work he gifted me, which was my collection base. ‘Then, when I started the fair and was visiting different places on the continent, I really became engaged with a more pan-African collection.’
Misperceptions About African Art
I think there’s one enduring misconception about African art: that there’s a singular category or style. We are often asked, ‘What is an African art trend?’ Also, a lot of people still consider ‘African art’ to be ‘traditional art’—you know, the masks, the objects and all the masterpieces that have influenced many artists.
African art encompasses a wide range of creative expressions, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, and masks.
With over 50 distinct cultures across the continent, each with its unique style and symbolism, African art is characterized by its vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and storytelling techniques.
The use of natural materials such as wood, ivory, and clay adds to the art's authenticity and cultural significance.
Examples of renowned African artists include Yinka Shonibare and Ibrahim Mahama, who have gained international recognition for their thought-provoking works.
According to Marrakesh itself brings an audience, Marrakesh as a destination attracts a unique audience of fairgoers.
