1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Somerset House

Tear yourself away from the Frieze Week frenzy and head down to Somerset House this October, as 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair – Europe’s largest and most prestigious African arts festival – returns for its sixth year. 1-54 presents artworks from over 40 galleries around the world, with 130 artists contributing paintings, sculpture, photography and textiles.

The fair more than lives up to its name, showcasing artists from South Africa to Tunisia, Dakar to Khartoum. It also incorporates the African diaspora, with works from nearly every continent on Earth filling Somerset House’s East, West and South Wings.

1-54’s Special Projects for this year include South African Athi-Patra Ruga’s first major UK solo show, in which he explores the perception of cultural identity in his native country. Venerated Sudanese artist Ibrahim El-Salahi makes his first venture into public sculpture with Meditation Tree, which will spread its branches through Somerset House’s Edmond J Safra Fountain Court. And British-Ghanaian Somerset House Studios resident Larry Achiampong examines the role of Christianity in colonialism in a new immersive installation.

Touria El Glaoui, Director of 1-54, said: ‘We are delighted to announce such a strong selection of Special Projects for the sixth edition of 1-54 London.’

This year also sees the return of FORUM, an extensive programme of talks and events, directed by British-Ghanaian writer and curator Ekow Eshun. 1-54 is part of what promises to be an inspiring autumn season at Somerset House, along with Hannah Perry: GUSH and Good Grief, Charlie Brown! Celebrating Snoopy and the Enduring Power of Peanuts.