154 Contemporary Art Fair 2014, Somerset House

154 Contemporary Art Fair 2014, Somerset House
18 October 2014

If you want to get a really good insight into the burgeoning contemporary African art scene, I hope you had a chance to see 1:54. With more than 27 galleries participating, Somerset House was a great exhibition space to bring this show together as it provided the perfect and intimate setting to observe and study the diverse but very solid output of these African artists. Compared to the frenetic Frieze Art fair, 1:54 is much more subdued which gave viewers the time to absorb every piece of artwork.

Galleries had also been quite selective as they focussed on a few artists and a few pieces here and there rather than bombarding the public with a whole bonanza. Surprisingly there's a lot of mixed media and digital art alongside graffiti-like paintings from established artist Aboudia and metal sculptures of Romuald Hazoumee. There are a lot of sculptures and installation pieces made from everyday materials that are transformed with African references. With all the art fairs this week, I wish I had more time to see 1:54 but I know that I'll be back next year.  I predict that good things will come to 1:54 and it will just become bigger and better each year.

Athi-Patra Ruga. The Night of the Long Knives I, 2013. Archival Inkjet Print on Photorag Baryta Paper 150 x 190 cm. Courtesy of the artist, WHATIFTHEWORLD
Athi-Patra Ruga. The Night of the Long Knives I, 2013. Archival Inkjet Print on Photorag Baryta Paper 150 x 190 cm. Courtesy of the artist, WHATIFTHEWORLD

Maimouna Guerresi, Egg Man, 2007 – M.I.A
Maimouna Guerresi, Egg Man, 2007 – M.I.A

Lawrence Lemaoana, fight the dying light, fabric and embroidery, 155×111 cm, 2008 – Afronova
Lawrence Lemaoana, fight the dying light, fabric and embroidery, 155×111 cm, 2008 – Afronova

Owusu Ankomah, Microcron Begins No 17, 2013. Acrylic on canvas, 180 x 280 cm. Photo copyright, Joachim Fliegner Courtesy October Gallery
Owusu Ankomah, Microcron Begins No 17, 2013. Acrylic on canvas, 180 x 280 cm. Photo copyright, Joachim Fliegner Courtesy October Gallery

Fabrice Monteiro. Waxology series. 1, 2014. 100 x 100cm
Fabrice Monteiro. Waxology series. 1, 2014. 100 x 100cm
 

Dom Nicolau. 24 x 36cm. Omar Victor Diop
Dom Nicolau. 24 x 36cm. Omar Victor Diop

Artists from 1:54 Contemporary Art fair