Our Highlights from 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2014

As always, Aryn and I view and consider the works independently, then find our intersections. Whittling the list down was difficult but we found ourselves gravitating to some of the denser pieces, both in terms of materials and the resonance conveyed. We are not familiar with the artists or their bios, so context was a non-factor. This made us lean toward beauty and visceral reaction, and away from familiar styles and the more overtly messaged. 

Our Selection:

Dan Halter, Rifugiato Mappa del Mondo, 2013, at WHATIFTHEWORLD / GALLERY

A foreboding reflection.

Abdoulaye Konaté, Danse Au Conservatoire No. 11, 2011, Primo Marella Gallery 

Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo, Kitoko (Beautiful), 2013, at Primo Marella Gallery

Malformed but on paper…

Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo, Ego, 2013, at Primo Marella Gallery

Comfort/Discomfort

Gérard Quenum, L’angoisse du gardien de but au moment du penalty (The Goalkeeper’s Fear of the Penalty’), 2010, at October Gallery

The alien spectacle.

Chéri Sambra, L’employeur et l’employé, 2013, at Magnin A

Art as statement with magnetic visual appeal and resonance.

Steve Bandoma, Semence Géante, 2011, at Magnin A 

Ethereal elegance. Dreamlike submission. Troubling grace. Reciprocity.

Kura Shomali, Seales, 2014, at Magnin A 

Ransome Stanley, SMILE FOR MALICK, 2014, at ARTCO Gallery

Billie Zangewa, Exquisite fantasy, 2014, at Afronova

Lovely, lasting wisdom. Explore 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2014 on Artsy.