The contemporary African art fair 1-54 held its thirteenth London edition at Somerset House in October 2025, with more than 50 galleries showing over 100 artists.
The contemporary African art fair 1-54 held its thirteenth London edition at Somerset House in Covent Garden from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 October 2025. It filled the East, West and South Wings.
Touria El Glaoui founded 1-54 in 2013 as the first international fair dedicated to contemporary African art. The London edition has been held at Somerset House every October since.
The fair also runs editions in New York and Marrakech each year. London is its flagship and its longest-running edition.
Galleries from across Africa and its diaspora show beside European and American dealers who represent African artists, so each artist is seen among peers. Museum curators buy at the fair as readily as private collectors.
The 2025 fair opened with a press and VIP preview on the Thursday. More than 50 new and returning galleries showed over 100 artists, among them Hassan Hajjaj, Seydou Keïta, Malick Sidibé and Ibrahim El-Salahi.
Special projects included a Caribbean Spotlight and a large-scale commission in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court. Lusaka’s Everyday Lusaka Gallery reimagined Zambian photographic heritage.