On the democratisation of the art scene, the just concluded 1-54 Art Fair in New York, and self-taught photographer Djeneba Aduayom
“An ideal art scene values inclusivity, diversity, and social responsibility.”
In this article, ‘Democratising the art world,’ we explore how artists, curators, collectors and gallerists have to come together to democratise the African art world in order to create an equitable and diverse art market. Nigerian visual artist, Musa Ganiyy and Tony Agbapuonwu, curator and founder of Art Bridge Project, shared their thoughts on the topic with us.
Read more on ‘Democratising the art world’ here.
The New York edition of the annual 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, which opened on the 18th of May, 2023, came to an end on the 21st of May, 2023. Known for its representation of contemporary African art, 26 galleries and 80 artists were featured from Nevlunghavn to Cape Town and Los Angeles to Lagos. Newcomers to the New York edition of the 1-54 African art fair include DADA Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria & London, United Kingdom) presenting works from Fidelis Joseph; kó (Lagos, Nigeria) presenting works from Mobolaji Ogunrosoye, Adebayo Bolaji, Ozioma Onuzulike; LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire); and Wunika Mukan Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria) presenting works from Edozie Anedu and Option Nyahunzvi, amongst others.
Artist Spotlight: Djeneba Aduayom
Djeneba Aduayom is a photographer whose work mirrors her ability to speak multiple visual languages fluently. The self-taught artist is drawn to movement, emotive performance and personal interrogation. Her artistic practice is influenced by her multi-disciplinary training, extensive travel, and her multicultural heritage, which includes French, Italian and Togolese. Despite the dream-like effect that her work has, Aduayom is conscious to capture the layers of emotions contained within people and their relation to landscape, with hints of abstraction and surrealism. Her work was presented at the just concluded 1-54 African Art Fair by Galerie Number 8.
On view:
No Twilight Too Mighty at Guggenheim Museum: An exhibition of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye’s works from 2020 to 2023 for the first time (March 31 - September 10, 2023).
From Mali with Love, a group exhibition featuring works by Abdoulaye Konaté, Amadou Sanogo and Ouologuem Abdou at Retro Africa (May 12 - July 14, 202).
The Museum of Modern Art announces New Photography 2023: Kelani Abass, Akinbode Akinbiyi, Yagazie Emezi, Amanda Iheme, Abraham Oghobase, Karl Ohiri, Logo Oluwamuyiwa (May 28 - Sept 16, 2023).
