The sixth edition of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returned to Marrakech, once again transforming the historic city into a vibrant hub for contemporary African art. Founded by Touria El Glaoui in 2013, 1-54 debuted in London before expanding to New York and, in 2018, to Marrakech—marking its arrival on the African continent. The fair’s name pays homage to Africa’s 54 nations, reflecting its mission to showcase the continent’s diverse artistic voices.

Since its launch in Morocco, 1-54 has not only contributed to the growing prominence of African contemporary art but has also played a pivotal role in cementing Marrakech as a major cultural destination. This year, the fair took place across two prestigious venues: the luxurious La Mamounia Hotel and DaDa, a multidisciplinary art space in the heart of the Medina. The 2025 edition welcomed 30 exhibitors from around the world, including first-time participants from Kuwait, Japan, Milan, and India, reflecting 1-54’s expanding international influence.

A landmark moment of this year’s fair, which took place from 31st January to 3rd February 2025, was the acquisition of Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo’s Blank Stare (2021) by Tate’s Africa Acquisitions Committee Catalyst Fund, reaffirming the fair’s importance as a platform for both emerging and established artists. With institutions like Tate strengthening their commitment to contemporary African art, 1-54 continues to be a key force in shaping the global art market.

As the 2025 Marrakech edition unfolds, we turn our attention to the standout artists whose work demands attention. From bold new voices to established names redefining contemporary African art, here are the artists to watch from 1-54 Marrakech 2025.

Fadekemi Ogunsanya - The Bridge Gallery

#FLODown: Fadekemi Ogunsanya’s work immediately drew attention with her striking blue paintings, depicting women in moments of contemplation, strength, and vulnerability. The Bridge Gallery presented six of her pieces, each with intricate textures that brought these powerful emotions to life. Ogunsanya’s distinctive approach extended to the frames, which she hand-painted and laser-cut, making them an essential part of the artwork. The bold blue palette and emotional depth of her pieces made us eager to see how her unique voice and approach will evolve in the year ahead.

Artist: fadekemi.com ; @fade.0707

Gallery: thebridgegallery.xyz ; @thebridgegallery

Amina Agueznay - Loft Art Gallery

#FLODown: At the Loft Gallery, one of the booths with the best collective showcases at the fair this year, works by Moroccan artists Nassim Azarzar, Samy Snoussi, Bouchra Boudoua, and Amina Agueznay explored shifting narratives through texture, form, and tradition. Each piece acted as a dialogue between memory, identity, and cultural heritage. A standout for us was Agueznay’s Portals series, where the Moroccan artist beautifully integrated architectural elements, textiles, and representations of Moroccan heritage. Inspired by the Tiskmoudine ksar village in southern Morocco, her life-sized, hand-woven wool portals recreated the village’s structures, with one piece selling for €15,000, according to The Art Newspaper. Agueznay’s work reflects a profound connection to Morocco’s artistic traditions, and we were delighted to see even more of her work at the Loft Gallery in Marrakech, where her exhibition Fieldworks offers a deeper insight into her research, experimentation, and the collaborative craftsmanship that defines her practice. The exhibition celebrates her partnerships with master artisans from across Morocco, highlighting the creative and participatory processes central to her distinctive approach.

Artist: aminaagueznay.com

Gallery: loftartgallery.net; @loftartgallery

The African Art Hub - Ayogu Kingsley

#FLODown: Over at the multidisciplinary art space DaDa, Nigerian artist Ayogu Kingsley showcased Intimité de la Mémoire (Intimacy of Memory), a deeply moving exploration of grief. Inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Notes on Grief, Kingsley’s work blends abstraction and symbolism to capture the complex and fleeting nature of memory. His layered structures, incorporating materials like African bath sponges and nets, offer a poignant metaphor for grief’s tangled emotions—fragile yet resilient. Kingsley’s paintings, suspended in the exhibition space, invited viewers to engage with the layers of meaning and colour, reflecting on the liminal space between presence and absence. Through his thoughtful use of symbolism, Kingsley’s work expresses a shared emotional experience, making Intimité de la Mémoire a deeply impactful presentation.

Artist: @ayogu.kingsley

Gallery: taah.co.uk; @theafricanarthub

Turiya Magadlela - Ross Sutton Gallery

#FLODown: Tucked away in the Ross Sutton Gallery booth were two works by Turiya Magadlela. Though seemingly simple in appearance, these pieces are rich with meaning. Magadlela is renowned for her innovative use of materials like nylon pantyhose, correctional service uniforms, and prison sheets—fabrics laden with historical and societal significance. By cutting, stitching, folding, and stretching these everyday materials, she creates compelling compositions that reflect personal narratives of womanhood and motherhood, while also drawing on South Africa’s complex history of colonisation and exploitation. Her work speaks to the overlooked labour of women in her region, with each piece serving as a tool for storytelling that connects gender, history, and contemporary African life. This unique approach and ability to fuse personal and collective histories made Magadlela’s work truly memorable.

Artist: @yayamagadlela

Gallery: ross-sutton.com; @rosssuttongallery

Willow Evann - Galerie Medina

#FLODown: Presented by Galerie Medina, Willow Evann’s booth featured his series Les Tirallés. The work explores the history of African soldiers in the French colonies, using photography, wood, and Polaroid transfers to reflect on cultural heritage and the enduring legacy of conflict. Paying tribute to a largely overlooked history, the series is distinguished by its rich textures and powerful narrative. We eagerly anticipate seeing more from Evann in 2025.

Artist: @willowevan

Gallery: @galeriemedina

Ozioma Onuzulike - Afrikaris

#FLODown: Ozioma Onuzulike, a leading figure in contemporary African ceramic art, showcased a distinctive piece in his Chequered Jumper with Floral Patterns, 2024. Exhibited by Afrikaris, Onuzulike’s use of beads, which carry historical significance from their role in the African slave trade, plays a central part in his storytelling. Beads were once used by European merchants as items of exchange for slaves, and Onuzulike weaves them into textile structures that evoke prestigious African cloths like the Igbo Akwaete, the Ghanaian Kente, and the Yoruba Aso-Oke. Through this, he both acknowledges the painful history of the slave trade and celebrates the enduring cultural legacy of African textiles. By combining his expertise in clay with recycled materials, Onuzulike merges traditional African heritage with contemporary themes, making him one of the most exciting artists to watch in 2025.

Artist: @ozioma.onuzulike

Gallery: afikaris.com; @afikaris_

Beyond the Fair at La Mamounia and DaDa, below are some of the great exhibitions and art spaces we visited in the city of Marrakech.

MACAAL - Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden

MACAAL, which recently reopened after months of renovation, presents a permanent collection featuring 150 rotating works from its 2,500-piece archive. The museum offers an evolving opportunity to explore contemporary African art in a dynamic and ever-changing setting.

Website: macaal.org Instagram:

Homesick by Mous Lamrabat at Loft Art Gallery

Coinciding with 1-54 was the opening of Homesick, a solo exhibition by Moroccan-Belgian photographer Mous Lamrabat at Loft Art Gallery in Marrakech. The show presents 20 new works that merge Lamrabat’s Moroccan roots with his experiences in the diaspora, using powerful portraits and the recurring motif of the Moroccan star to evoke themes of nostalgia and identity. On display until 15 March 2025.

Artist: @mouslamrabat

Riad Yima

We had the pleasure of visiting Riad Yima, located in the heart of Marrakech’s bustling medina. This multifaceted space is the creation of Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj, who opened it in 2006. The riad, a traditional Moroccan house built around an inner courtyard, serves as Hajjaj’s home, shop, tearoom, exhibition space, and a hub for cultural exchange. It’s a vibrant, welcoming place where we experienced art, traditional music, and classic Moroccan hospitality.

Instagram: @riadyima

The Hamish Bowles Collection at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech

At the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, The Hamish Bowles Collection is on display, featuring 55 rare vintage pieces from Bowles’ personal wardrobe. This exhibition offers a unique perspective on Yves Saint Laurent’s creations through the eyes of a passionate collector. It will be on display until 4 January 2026.

Website: museeyslmarrakech.com; Instagram: @myslmarrakech

Mohamed Arejdal: ⵉⴼⴻⵕⴳⴰⵏ · Ifergan

Mohamed Arejdal, a Moroccan artist, presents his solo exhibition Ifergan at Comptoir des Mines Galerie, which opened during 1-54’s Gallery night. The exhibition complements his permanent installation Who Holds Africa Holds the Sky on the roof of the building. Arejdal’s striking multidisciplinary work reflects on personal history, identity, and the connections between individuals and their environments, drawing on his own experiences and the territories that have shaped him. The exhibition is on display until 29 March 2025.

Artist: @arejdalmohamed

Gallery: cmgmarrakech.com; @cm_galerie