British-Nigerian artist Slawn’s graffitied double-decker buses and Sophia Kacimi’s giant Zoubida chessboard

Date: 16 Sep 2024

Karen Jones

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, the leading international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and the African diaspora has announced the programme of Special Projects for its 12th London edition, taking place at Somerset House, 10 – 13 October 2024.

London-based Nigerian artist Slawn, born Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale (2000) has been selected to transform Somerset House’s Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court with his large-scale Transition project, in collaboration with Saatchi Yates. The installation features two iconic life-sized London double-decker buses, which will serve as a canvas for his distinctive style. Drawing from multicultural and interclass influences, Slawn challenges contemporary visual culture by exploring themes of human psychology, politics, race, and identity. His spontaneous line drawings and playful figures, infused with tongue-incheek stereotypes and caricatures, create striking and thought-provoking images. Through this project, Slawn emphasises the accessibility, diversity, and dynamic nature of London’s cultural symbols.

French-Moroccan creative Sophia Kacimi invites visitors into her vibrant world, Zoubida, for a playful experience at 1-54 London. Blending craftsmanship, fashion, interior design, and art, her work revitalises traditional Moroccan handwork through bold jacquard fabrics. Kacimi’s installation at the fair will transform the space into a living room, centred around a giant chess board and pieces, all meticulously crafted in collaboration with artisans from Fes and Rabat. This interactive chess set not only invites visitors to engage in a timeless game but also encourages them to reconnect with radition, craftsmanship, and their cultural roots.

PieceUnique, a new artist agency dedicated to empowering African artists, will present Contact Zone II, a project exploring cultural intersections and identities through site-specific artworks created during a residency in Ibadan, Nigeria, this September. Renowned artists Oluwole Omofemi, Elfreda Fakoya, Blebo, and ANJEL (Boris Anje) will immerse themselves in each other’s cultures and histories, creating works that bridge the material and spiritual realms. All exhibited pieces will be crafted during this residency, fostering cultural exchange and artistic innovation. Proceeds from the limited edition collections will support PieceUnique’s residency programs and community outreach across Africa.

To.org scales innovative solutions for decarbonization, refugee empowerment, and human optimization, leveraging both for-profit and nonprofit capital to support entrepreneurs, activists, and creatives dedicated to global change. To.org will present a compelling booth during 1-54, which will showcase the works of artists who explore the intricate themes of cultural identity, heritage, and memory. Through a collection that features abstract and conceptual art, these artists contribute to a broader conversation about the importance of affirming and preserving cultural identity through art. All proceeds from the sale of these artworks will support the To.org Foundation project in Kakuma refugee settlement. Regenerate Kakuma is a project integrating fitness, yoga, agriculture, education, and culture into a harmonious and inclusive space. This project aims to allow people to improve their mental and physical well-being, helping them navigate hardships and build resilient, coexistent, and peaceful relationships. The booth at the 1-54 London invites visitors to engage with the intersection of art, identity, and humanity, and to participate in making a meaningful impact on the lives of refugees.

The Nigeria Art Society will present Waves of Change: From Aureol to Modern Britain, an exhibition tracing the artistic journeys of Nigerian artists who made their home in the UK. Since the mid-20th century, these artists have explored complex identities, addressing Britain’s colonial past while celebrating Nigerian culture. Inspired by the MV Aureol, which brought many West Africans to Britain, the show will feature paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works on themes of migration, identity, and social change. It will include artworks by members of the Nigeria Art Society UK and paintings by Uzo Egonu, who began his career in the UK in the mid-1940s.

Almas Art Foundation and The Defise Foundation will collaborate on AUGURE: Infinite Trolling, a video installation by Congolese-Belgian artist Baloji. This project will explore the constraints of modern society and how we process information in a time of cognitive overload, prompting reflection on beliefs and cultural identities. It marks the second joint effort between the two organisations, following the early 2024 screening of AUGURE (OMEN). Almas Art Foundation focuses on highlighting African and diaspora art through publications, films, and exhibitions, while The Defise Foundation supports cultural and artistic development in Congo and promotes African art.

Shabu Mwangi and Ngugi Waweru of Wajukuu Art Project, will showcase In the Absence, a monumental immersive installation designed to foster reflection. Featuring everyday items, it underscores the need for balance and restoration in life. The work contrasts corrugated iron with traditional materials like dry grass and mud to explore evolving concepts of home. It offers a communal space for contemplation and healing amidst chaos, with a reflective floor and walls adorned with cotton clouds representing the heavens. Altered mirror images prompt viewers to rethink their identities, while objects like fishing nets critique global consumption. Tibetan singing bowls and poetry provide soothing, healing sounds that resonate with natural vibrations, addressing societal unrest.

The Bomb Factory Art Foundation is a charitable organisation encompassing five London sites, home to 150 resident artists and five gallery spaces. Dedicated to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the arts, they have established themselves in the UK’s contemporary art landscape through innovative exhibitions and comprehensive community engagement. For 1-54, they will present Ancestral Lungs by artist Sol Golden Sato, an installation exploring the intricate connections between life, migration, and the environment. Drawing on Sol’s experiences as a Malawian migrant to Britain, the installation features a towering grid structure housing a living ecosystem of plants, pots, books, documents, and paintings, accompanied by a bird soundscape. It invites visitors to consider the impact of plant relocation, human migration, and bird movements on landscapes and lives.

In collaboration with October Gallery, Theresa Weber will present Fruits of Hope in the West Wing of Somerset House. This vibrant installation will feature suspended organic forms made from blue fabric and mixed media, symbolising the interconnected lives of the diaspora. The use of indigo references its colonial history and production by enslaved Caribbean labourers, while the fruit-like orbs represent femininity and abundance. Alongside the installation, Weber’s Haiti Revolution relief paintings reflect on the 1790s revolutions in Haiti and France, combining historical drawings with resin and clay. Beads and rings hint at Caribbean carnival influences, highlighting resistance within creolised cultures.

Perve Galeria will present A. Leader, since Ramses II, a site-specific installation by Manuela Jardim (1949, Guinea-Bissau), curated by Carlos Cabral Nunes, at the Upper Embankment Central Arch of Somerset House during 1-54 London 2024. In her art, Manuela Jardim blends her African and European heritage to explore the historical, social, and cultural narratives of textiles, as well as their aesthetic, artistic and pedagogic value, reflecting her active creativity as a painter and sculptor. This installation, which merges hand-painted textiles with sculptural elements, explores themes of leadership and community within African cultures. At its heart is a Sovereign-like figure, surrounded by smaller figures nestled in bowls, symbolising the nurturing and sustaining role of the people. The work captures the transformative power of cultural identity and the fluid evolution of traditions, inviting viewers to engage with the complex layers of African society, identity, and collective memory.

Dreaming In Colour, a cultural exchange programme curated by My Runway Group, will spotlight Ghanaian artists Reinhard Agyekum, Nana Fremah, amongst others. The initiative is dedicated to connecting African creatives with global audiences, providing them with commercial visibility and new opportunities. Dreaming In Colour includes an artist development fund aimed at supporting five West African artists, which offers financial assistance for studio space, materials, and artistic growth, further empowering emerging talents in the region.

Ghanaian-British inter-disciplinary artist, Akwasi Brenya-Mensa will present TATALE PROVISIONS, an innovative installation that reimagines the traditional provision store as a vibrant space for cultural exchange and community connection. This immersive experience will feature a curated selection of products, produce, and projects that reflect the Black experience. Brenya-Mensa’s work will challenge visitors to reconsider the role of consumerism in shaping cultural identity and tradition. TATALE PROVISIONS will serve as a living archive, offering a place for reflection, conversation, and the nourishment of mind, body, and spirit bringing past traditions into dialogue with contemporary life.

Nando’s UK & Ireland will return as a Bronze Sponsor for 1-54 London 2024, in partnership with Spier Arts Trust. Based in Cape Town, Spier Arts Trust facilitates collaborations between artists and artisans through empowerment projects focused on artistic excellence. Nando’s ongoing partnership with Spier Arts Trust enables artists to pursue their careers full-time, and grows Nando’s extensive art collection to deliver unique experiences in its restaurants. New for this year, Nando’s will showcase works by Southern African artists Asanda Kupa (with Keiskamma Arts Trust), Candice Kramer (with HUB Studios), and Qhamanande Maswana (with Qaqambile Bead Studio).

1-54 is pleased to continue its creative partnership with INFINIMENT COTY PARIS, a high-end fragrance collection which was launched globally earlier this year by Coty Inc., one of the world’s largest beauty companies. The brand will collaborate with five artists for the fair: Slimen Elkamel and Derrick O Boateng, among others.

Somerset House will present their public exhibition Making a rukus!, Black Queer Histories through Love and Resistance, which delves into the vibrant world of rukus! Federation, an art project and living archive celebrating Black LGBTQIA+ cultures and histories. Curated by filmmaker and co-founder of the federation, Topher Campbell, the exhibition will feature archive materials, contemporary artworks, and new commissions that highlight the creativity and activism of Black LGBTQIA+ pioneers from the 1970s to today. It will include Evan Ifekoya’s interactive installation A Score, A Groove, A Phantom, A rukus!, which creates a club-like atmosphere with audio, complemented by photographs, flyers, music, and more. The exhibition shows that the rukus! Archive is not just historical documentation but an ongoing series of political and artistic interventions reflecting the joy, resistance, and creativity of Black LGBTQIA+ communities in Britain.

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