New York's art scene is about to get a vibrant jolt. The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is bringing over 20 galleries to the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea, running May 13–17. And yes, it's happening right alongside Frieze and NADA, because apparently, that's where we are now: peak art fair saturation.
This year, the fair is expanding its global footprint, welcoming back familiar faces like 193 Gallery and Galerie Myrtis, while also rolling out the red carpet for newcomers. Expect fresh perspectives from Lagos's Adegbola Gallery, São Paolo's Aura, and The Current from Nassau, among others. It’s a truly international affair, with participants hailing from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas, all championing diverse viewpoints and connecting audiences to the ever-evolving stories of the African diaspora.
Brazil Beyond Brazil
The real showstopper this year is a brand new section: "1-54 Presents: Brazil Beyond Brazil." Curated by Igor Simões, this special focus dives deep into the work of Afro-Brazilian artists. Which, if you think about it, is a brilliant move. Brazil, after all, holds the largest population of African descendants outside of the continent itself. Let that sink in.
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Start Your News DetoxThis dedicated section promises art that's not just pretty to look at, but also provocative. It's all about historical research, fresh takes on modern art styles, and a good, hard look at how national and art history narratives get constructed. Touria El Glaoui, 1-54's founding director, says it perfectly: this section expands the fair's goal to spark dialogue across regions by highlighting Afro-Brazilian perspectives, challenging simplistic views of Brazilian art, and embracing the depth of artists who are reshaping our understanding of African identity and diaspora on a global scale. Because the world is far more complex and interesting than a single story. And sometimes, it just takes a good art fair to remind us.
