1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair Comes to New York

May 15–17 2015 Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, New York
October 15–18 2015 Somerset House, London
Press Contacts
Dan Schwartz
Alejandro Hincapié
Susan Grant Lewin Associates
212 947 4557
[email protected] | [email protected]
Press Registration: [email protected]
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair Comes to New York
Europe’s leading art fair dedicated to contemporary African art makes its New York debut during Frieze
Art Week, May 15-17, 2015, at Pioneer Works
Lavar Munroe. Exhibit, 2015. NOMAD Gallery, Brussels
NEW YORK – 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, a leading transnational platform dedicated to promoting
African and Africa related art practices and projects, will make its New York debut on May 15–17, 2015, with press
and VIP previews on Thursday, May 14. The fair will take place at Pioneer Works | Center for Art + Innovation in
Red Hook, Brooklyn, and will be designed by RA Projects, award-winning London-based architecture and design
studio.
Founded in 2013 by Touria El Glaoui, 1:54 has established itself at the forefront of the rapidly emerging
contemporary African art market, with an expert selection of participating exhibitors and artists and its ambitious
lectures and panel discussions with some of the art world’s key thinkers. The U.S edition, 1:54 NY, will showcase 16
select exhibitors hailing from global territories such as South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, France, Belgium, Italy,
Germany, the UK, and the USA that will showcase over 60 emerging and established international artists.
A reference to the fifty-four countries that constitute the African continent, the title of 1:54 establishes the parameters
of the fair’s ethos: as a platform that strives to represent multiplicity and showcase the diversity of contemporary
African art and cultural production on an international stage. The New York edition will present a wide range of
artistic voices including established and celebrated artists who have paved the way for future artistic generations, as
well as a fast-growing number of promising emerging talent. Spanning several generations and diverse mediums,
including painting, sculpture, photography and installation, the selection includes works by Edson Chagas, star of
th
the Angolan Pavilion at the 55 Venice Biennale where he was awarded the prestigious accolade for Best National
Participation; Prix Pictet shortlist photographer Sammy Baloji; Malian artist Abdoulaye Konaté; Tunisian artist and
researcher Nidhal Chamekh; Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama; and Bahamian artist Lavar Munroe; many of
which have been selected for presentation at this year’s 56th Venice Biennale. New York art-goers will likely
recognize numerous artists establishing a global presence, such as William Kentridge from Davrid Krut Projects
(New York), Aboudia and Boris Nzebo from Jack Bell Gallery (London), Maïmouna Guerresi and ruby
onyinyechi amanze from Mariane Ibrahim Gallery (Seattle), and Joël Andrianomearisoa from Primo Marella
Gallery (Milan).
“It gives me great pleasure to move beyond the fair’s original parameters and over geographic borders to inaugurate
the New York edition this year,” says its director Touria El Glaoui. “Contemporary African art is continuing its rise to
the fore as it is granted the attention it duly deserves. In light of this, it seems only right that 1:54 would spread its
wings to land in New York, where established and emerging African artists and artists of the African Diaspora are
leading a burgeoning contemporary art scene that communicates across international geographies. The New York
edition will retain the intimacy and charm that the setting of London’s Somerset House has made possible, and as
always, will showcase the highest caliber of art to date, in an unrivalled setting.”
The fair is also bringing to New York its critical conversations series, Forum, curated by Koyo Kouoh (Artistic
Director, RAW Material Company). Forum looks to reexamine present and future notions of 21st century African
diasporic identities as traversed, negotiated, and performed in the arenas of intellectual, cultural and artistic
practices. A special focus will be given to important voices active in the current millennium. Confirmed speakers
across the two-day event include acclaimed artists Lyle Ashton Harris and Melvin Edwards; Professor of African
and African American Art History at University of California, Los Angeles, Steven Nelson; Curator of Contemporary
Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Franklin Sirmans; Curator of African Art at the Hood Museum of Art,
Dartmouth College, Ugochukwu-Smooth C.Nzewi; and Associate Professor at Cornell University, Margo Natalie
Crawford, Ph.D., as the keynote speaker. Joining the panel discussion Global Black Subjectivities: Here and Now
will be Ethiopian born American artist Julie Mehretu, Associate Curator at The Studio Museum in Harlem, Naima J.
Keith, and Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at Brooklyn Museum, Rujeko Hockley.
For the second consecutive year, Artsy is the official online partner of 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair.
Collectors and art enthusiasts can explore 1:54 NY, inquire on works for sale, and view special features such as
highlights selected by art-world insiders on Artsy.net and the Artsy iPhone app.
Artsy’s exclusive online preview of 1:54 NY opens May 12, where users may view works and contact exhibitors with
inquiries before the opening of the physical fair. The fair microsite will remain live on Artsy throughout the length of
the fair, with new works updated daily. For those visiting the fair in person, the Artsy iPhone app functions as a
personal mobile guide for navigating the fair and researching exhibitors, artists, and artworks. A quick tap displays
exhibitor listings and booth locations; background information on artists and artworks–including artist biographies,
articles, and price details; and lists of other complementary works at the fair.
1:54 NY EXHIBITORS
A Palazzo Gallery Brescia | Afronova Johannesburg | Art Twenty One Lagos | ARTCO Gallery Aachen | Axis
Gallery New York | Bennett Contemporary Cape Town | CIRCA Gallery Johannesburg | David Krut Projects
New York | Galerie Cécile Fakhoury Abidjan | Jack Bell Gallery London | Magnin-A Paris | Mariane Ibrahim
Gallery Seattle | NOMAD Gallery Brussels | Primo Marella Gallery Milan | SMAC Gallery Cape Town | VOICE
Gallery Marrakech
Chéri Samba. L'employeur et l'employé, 2013. Magnin-A, Paris
Left: Barend de Wet. Wool Works II, 2015. SMAC Gallery, Cape Town
Right: Younès Baba-Ali. Hands-free kit #1, 2014. VOICE Gallery, Marrakech
Lawrence Lemaoana, I didn't join the struggle to be poor, 2015. Afronova, Johannesburg
1:54 NY ARTISTS
Abdoulaye Konaté
Aboudia
Abu Bakarr Mansaray
Amadou Sanogo
Armand Boua
Asha Zero
Ayana V. Jackson
Barend de Wet
Bille Zangewa
Bobson Sukhdeo Mohanlall
Boris Nzebo
Bright Ugochukwu Eke
Bruce Clarke
Calixte Dakpogan
Cheikh Ndiaye
Chéri Samba
Conrad Botes
Daniel Blom
Edson Chagas
Eric van Hove
Fabrice Monteiro
François-Xavier Gbré
Frédéric Bruly Bouabré
Gérard Quenum
Gonçalo Mabunda
Hamidou Maiga
Ibrahim Mahama
J.D. Okhai Ojeikere
Jean-Claude Moschetti
Jean-Paul Mika
Jim Chuchu
Joël Andrianomearisoa
John Goba
Kura Shomali
Lavar Munroe
Lawrence Lemaoana
Lebohang Kganye
Leila Alaoui
Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou
Maïmouna Guerresi
Malick Sidibé
Megumi Matsubara
Monsengo Shula
Nathalie Boutté
Nidhal Chamekh
Olu Amoda
Omar Victor Diop
Owusu-Ankomah
Pathy Tshindele
Paul Sika
Peter E Clarke
Ransome Stanley
Richard Mudariki
Rim Battal
Romuald Hazoumè
ruby onyinyechi amanze
Sammy Baloji
Seydou Keïta
Soly Cissé
Theo Eshetu
Toyin Loye
Vincent Michéa
Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo
Wayne Barker
William Kentridge
Younès Baba-Ali
ABOUT TOURIA EL GLAOUI – FOUNDER OF 1:54
Born and raised in Morocco, Touria El Glaoui is the daughter of one of the most revered living Moroccan artists,
Hassan El Glaoui. She has organized and co-curated significant exhibitions of her father’s work including a major
retrospective in Casablanca and Meetings in Marrakech, a joint exhibition with Winston Churchill’s paintings hosted in
Leighton House, London. She has a life-long passion for African art.
Touria holds an MBA in Strategic Management and International Business from
Pace University, New York. She
began her career in the banking industry as a wealth management consultant before moving to London in 2001
where she undertook various business development positions in the Telecom/IT industry. She has spent over five
years working between London, various African countries and the Middle East in a business development capacity,
and is a member of the Executive Committee of The Friends of Leighton House, London and a trustee of the
Marrakech Biennial.
ABOUT PIONEER WORKS
Pioneer Works, Center for Art and Innovation is dedicated to the creation, synthesis, and discussion of art, science
and education. Located in Red Hook, Brooklyn, the Center gathers artists, scientists and creative thinkers to
collaborate outside the boundaries of traditional institutions where specialization often limits the application of ideas
across disciplines. Through a community devoted to creative discourse and collaboration, Pioneer Works is a
platform where ideas can manifest into their fullest expression. The Center enacts its vision for a more complex,
creative and productive society through educational programming, exhibitions, publications, residencies, lectures and
performances. Housed in a reclaimed former iron works factory, Pioneer Works is a non-profit organization.
PRESS AND VIP PREVIEWS
Press Preview: Thursday, May 14, 10 am – 12 pm
Press can pre-register via email: [email protected].
Please include name, address, phone number, and affiliation
See Press Shuttle Information from Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn below
VIP and Collector’s Previews: Thursday, May 14
Patrons of Institutions and Museums: 12 pm – 3 pm
Collectors: 3 pm – 6:30 pm
Cocktail Vernissage: 6:30 pm – 9 pm
VISITOR INFORMATION
Location
Pioneer Works | Center for Art + Innovation
159 Pioneer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Opening Hours
Friday, May 15
Saturday, May 16
Sunday, May 17
12-8 pm
12-8 pm
12-6 pm
Admission
Day pass: $10
Student Day Pass: $5
Combined: $25 – Includes day pass and a copy of the 1:54 NY catalogue, collected on entry
TRANSPORTATION
May 14 Press Shuttles
rd
th
The Chelsea shuttle departs to Pioneer Works from 23 Street and 10 Avenue at 9:30 and 11:30 am. It departs
from Pioneers Works back to Chelsea at 12 pm and 2:30 pm.
The Downtown Brooklyn shuttle departs from Boerum Place and Joralemon Street at 9:30 am and 11:30 am. It
departs from Pioneer Works back to Downtown Brooklyn at 11 am and 12 pm.
Please reserve your seat [email protected]
By Subway and Shuttle
Take the 2, 3, 4, 5, R trains to Borough Hall or the A, C, F, R trains to Jay Street Metro Tech. The complimentary
1:54 Shuttle will depart every hour May 15–17 from the corner of Boerum Place and Joralemon Street in
Downtown Brooklyn to Pioneer Works.
Or take the F, G trains to Smith 9th Street, then the B61 bus to Van Brunt Street / Pioneer Street.
By Water Taxi
The Ikea Express Shuttle departs every 50 minutes from Wall Street’s Pier 11 in Manhattan to Red Hook, Van Brunt
Street. The trip takes approximately 10 minutes. It is then a 10-minute walk to Pioneer Works.
By Car / Taxi
Pioneer Works is a 15-20 minute drive from SoHo via the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel or Brooklyn Bridge
By Uber Car Service
Download the Uber app on your phone and get $25 off your first ride to or from 1/54 NY with the promo code
154ARTFAIR25. For existing Uber users, get 10% off a ride to or from 1:54 NY with the promo code 154ARTFAIR10
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