1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to New York with 1-54 Online, powered by Christie’s, 17 – 23 May 

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, the leading international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and the African diaspora, will hold its seventh edition of the fair in New York, which will take place online with Christie’s from May 17 – 23, 2021, with a VIP Preview May 17 – 18 and Knotted Ties, an exhibition at Christie’s in Rockefeller Center. From May 19 – June 6, works from 1-54 will then be available to purchase and view on Artsy for an extended period of time following the close of the official show and providing an even larger online audience for the artwork.

The fair welcomes 26 international exhibitors: 50 Golborne (London, UK); AFIKARIS (Paris, France); Afriart Gallery (Kampala, Uganda); De Buck Gallery (New York, USA); Duane Thomas Gallery (New York, USA); EBONY/CURATED (Cape Town, South Africa); espace d’art contemporain 14N 61W (Fort-de-France, Martinique); Fridman Gallery (New York, USA); Galerie Atiss Dakar (Dakar, Senegal); Gallery 1957 (Accra, Ghana; London, UK); Hafez Gallery (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia); HOA Galeria (São Paulo, Brazil); Jack Bell Gallery (London, UK); Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (London, UK; Berlin, Germany; Nevlunghavn, Norway); LatchKey Gallery (New York, USA); Loft Art Gallery (Casablanca, Morocco); LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire); Luce Gallery (Turin, Italy); Nil Gallery (Paris, France); Nuweland (Oosterzee, Netherlands); October Gallery (London, UK); OOA Gallery (Barcelona, Spain); POLARTICS (Lagos, Nigeria); Retro Africa (Abuja, Nigeria); ROSS-SUTTON Gallery (New York, USA); Sulger-Buel Gallery (London, UK). Amongst the 90+ artists whose work will be shown at the fair, over 40 artists will be exhibiting at the fair for the first time.

Drawing together the works of female artists using textiles, Knotted Ties contemplates the pluralism of the medium as well as narratives portrayed and expressed through fabric and thread. The exhibited works illustrate both the power and strength of textile work and its capacity to convey humanity’s entangled histories, challenging social landscapes, and complex realities. These works instigate debate while also offering the idea of mediative resolve through resilience, reminding us of the importance of community nurturing and constructive dialogue as we create futures through uncertain times.

VR Sunil Gohil