MARRAKECH.- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, the leading international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and the African diaspora, has announced the 18 international galleries participating in its second Marrakech edition, taking place at La Mamounia, 23 and 24 February, with VIP and Press Previews on 21 and 22 February.

Earlier this year, 1-54 launched its inaugural fair on the African continent in Marrakech, broadening the reach of the fair and further diversifying its portfolio of exhibiting and promoting gallerists and artists that are connected to Africa, adding to the global network 1-54 has cultivated over the past six years. Marrakech is home to one of the continent’s most dynamic arts scenes and 1-54 Marrakech aims to build on the city’s creative energy fostered by its artists, galleries and institutions.

1-54 brings together a diverse set of perspectives from around the world and has carefully selected 18 leading galleries from 11 countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Among the exhibitors are seven galleries from Africa: Galerie Cécile Fakhoury (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire / Dakar, Senegal), Goodman Gallery (Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa), L'Atelier 21 (Casablanca, Morocco), Loft Art Gallery (Casablanca, Morocco), LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire), Retro Africa (Abuja, Nigeria) and Siniya28 (Marrakech, Morocco).

Four galleries will participate in 1-54 for the first time: Galerie Poggi (Paris, France), Goodman Gallery (Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa), In Situ - fabienne leclerc (Paris, France) and Siniya28 (Marrakech, Morocco).

The fair will showcase the work of more than 65 artists, both emerging and established, working in a wide variety of mediums and from a range of geographical locations comprising 24 countries: Algeria, Angola, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Trinidad, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

1-54 Marrakech will be accompanied by 1-54 FORUM, the fair’s extensive talks and events programme, including artist talks and panel discussions with international curators, artists and cultural producers, to be held at La Mamounia in parallel to the fair. For the 2019 Marrakech edition, 1-54 FORUM will be curated for the first time by art historian and curator Karima Boudou and will take the life and work of African American Surrealist, painter, jazz musician and poet Ted Joans (1928-2003) as its point of departure.

1-54 will also present special projects and a wide programme of bespoke events in partnership with Musée d’Art Contemporarin African, Al Madeen (MACAAL), Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, Fondation Farid Belkahia, Fondation, Montresso*, LE 18, Comptoir Des Mines and Institut Français, amongst others.

Founding Director of 1-54, Touria El Glaoui, commented: “We are thrilled to be returning to Marrakech for the second year with such a strong line-up of both new galleries and old friends. It’s an exciting moment to form deeper connections to this culturally rich city and give visitors a great insight into its thriving art scene.”

Karima Boudou, FORUM curator for 1-54 Marrakech 2019, commented: “It is a pleasure to be curating 1-54 FORUM this year, which will delve into the extensive participation of artists, poets, musicians and filmmakers of African descent in the international surrealist movement, both past and present. I am delighted to have the opportunity to hold these conversations in a country I have a strong connection to. Let’s Play Something Let’s Play Anything Let’s Play!”