Key points
Location : The Halo, 28 Liberty Street, New York
Dates : May 8–11, 2025 (VIP preview on May 8)
Focus : Contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora
Themes : Identity, memory, island ecologies, migrations, heritage
New York is about to vibrate to the rhythm of African creativity! From May 8 to 11, 2025 , 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to The Halo, 28 Liberty Street , in the heart of the Financial District, for a new edition rich in discoveries, dialogues, and artistic emotions. The kickoff will be given during the VIP opening on Thursday, May 8 – a date not to be missed for collectors, critics, curators, and art lovers.
Mainmise (2023), D_nond7, Acrylic on Canvas, 150x150 cm
A pioneering fair dedicated to contemporary African art
Founded in 2013 by Touria El Glaoui , 1-54 is the first and only international fair entirely dedicated to contemporary African art and its diaspora. Its name evokes the 54 countries of the African continent , highlighting the richness, diversity and complexity of African artistic identities. With annual editions in London, Marrakech and New York , 1-54 has established itself as a must-see event on the global art scene.
An unmissable event for art lovers
The 2025 New York edition promises a sharp selection of international galleries , highlighting contemporary works by emerging and established artists from Africa and its diaspora. Expect impactful works, diverse aesthetics , and narratives that resonate with contemporary issues, from identity and memory to questions of territory, migration, and cultural heritage.
Shards of Intimacy: A Curated Selection for Artmajeur
The price of my success!?.., Valentin Cyrille Evegue, Acrylic on Canvas, 110x100 cm
Curated by Victor Jouaneau and inspired by the spirit of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, the selection brings together a vibrant collection of works where portraiture becomes language, memory, and resistance. Through gazes, postures, and textures, the artists summon an inner, plural Africa, in dialogue with its personal and collective histories. Hailing from Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire, these painters—including Joshua Adarkwa, Soukaina El Idrissi, and Dennis Onofua—offer representations of the body as fragments of identity and heritage. The face is no longer simply a motif; it becomes a living archive, a surface for projection and reinvention. Their works weave a sensitive, powerful narrative, where each painted stroke resonates like an intimate and universal declaration of existence.
A satellite exhibition that sheds light on the contemporary Caribbean scene
For its ninth New York edition, 1-54 is launching "1-54 Presents," a new program of pop-up exhibitions. For this inaugural presentation, the fair is proud to announce "Sparkling Islands, Another Postcard of the Caribbean," a group exhibition featuring contemporary artists from the Caribbean and its diaspora, on view from May 11 to 20, 2025, at High Line Nine (507 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001).
Piece of me (2024), Gabriel Bello, Acrylic on canvas, 121.9x91.4 cm
Far from postcard clichés, this exhibition offers a plural and profound look at the region. Artists such as April Bey , Jean-Ulrick Désert , Roland Dorcély , and Adler Guerrier explore historical legacies and island ecologies, while Deborah Jack and Leasho Johnson focus on narratives of resistance and poetic imaginaries that traverse the Caribbean. Through varied mediums such as painting, photography, installation, sculpture, textiles, and drawing, creators such as Remy Jungerman , Anina Major , and Johanna Mirabel engage in dialogue to deconstruct the simplistic image of a tourist paradise.
By adding works by Zak Ové , Nyugen E. Smith , Yoan Sorin , and Alberta Whittle , the exhibition highlights the richness of Caribbean identities and presents a complex vision, far from stereotypes.
A place, an atmosphere, a unique energy
The Halo, 28 Liberty Street , with its modern architecture and light-filled spaces, will provide the perfect backdrop for this explosion of creativity. Located in a historic neighborhood experiencing cultural excitement, the fair invites visitors to experience an immersive experience at the intersection of art, history, and modern New York.
FAQ – 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
When is the fair?
From May 8 to 11, 2025 (VIP opening on May 8)
Or ?
The Halo, 28 Liberty Street, New York – Financial District
What is 1-54?
The first international fair dedicated to contemporary African art and its diaspora, founded in 2013.
What will we see this year?
International galleries, African and Caribbean artists, powerful works around identity, memory and cultural heritage.
A special exhibition?
Yes! 1-54 Presents "Sparkling Islands" from May 11 to 20 at High Line Nine, dedicated to Caribbean artists.
Jean Dubreil