1-54 Contemporary Art Fair & RA Summer Exhibition
What is better than one exhibition? Two.
Yes, that is right, two exhibitions in one day. It might sound like a lot, and it was in the best and most beautiful way.
It would be my very first visit to The Royal Academy of Arts. The day before, I had a few missed calls from the friend I had booked tickets to go with. I assumed she was calling to cancel, but when I listened to her voice note, she excitedly rambled about another exhibition we could also attend before the RA.
There were only a few tickets left, and it would be the last day of this exhibition, so why not spend the whole day looking at art in fabulous buildings? She had already had an Instagram experience of the art on display and hardly took a breath during her message. It would mean a visit to Somerset House. I was all in.
I had passed the massive complex that is Somerset House maybe 1000 times before but had never been inside, even though I worked nearby for years. I`ve never heard of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair.
For those of you who are also hearing about 1-54 for the first time, they are the leading international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and the diaspora. I didn’t even have time to get excited about this because I didn’t know what I was about to experience.
The creative art hub that is Somerset House is housed in very royal 15th-century buildings. They have had every artistic event here, from Festivals to Exhibitions to London Fashion Week, and the winter ice rink in the courtyard at Christmas is pretty stunning.
The buildings and architecture are beautiful in that very royal and British way. What is not pretty is its colonial history, disturbing but not surprising which is why my first visit to the 1-54 art fair was one of those reflective moments. The more into my work, you will see that I`m not reflecting on the past or present whilst trying to remain hopeful for the future.
Standing in the greatness of the beautiful art of the 1-54 exhibition in the vastness of a former palace, where during the 15th century to this century, the intention would have been for moments like these not to happen, makes it a critical moment and experience. One that is still heavy with the most disturbing historical events and ideologies trapped in the walls where we are all standing.
If walls could speak, I wonder about all the old conversations that took place in Somerset House and what they would say now with the magnificence and creativity of African artists and those of the diaspora’s work and imagery beaming off the white walls.
37 galleries, 17 countries, over 110 artists, and piece after piece of excellence. It was everything. Each room was perfectly curated that you never wanted to leave. I floated in and around each one, and the next room was just as visually stunning as before. A brush, paint, blank canvas, and creative magic can be breathtaking.
With so many different mediums, colours, and materials, you had to be there to experience it all fully. I wasn’t prepared for how dreamy and heartwarming this explosion of art was going to be. The reds, the blues, the shades of brown and black, the moving piece that made me feel like I saw things, and the gorgeous greens. I love seeing our hair textures in all the paintings. Just so beautiful. I envy the generations that will come after me that will grow up seeing the magnificence of their skin, hair, bodies, and the sense of self that I hope they will have. Just beautiful on every level.
Art can change the world and how you see and experience everything. This was one of the most powerfully stunning exhibitions I`ve ever experienced. It felt like my heart grew a bit more open, and all these beautiful landscapes, colours, people, and stories poured in.
Here is a little journey of it so you can experience it too.
RA SUMMER EXHIBITION
After going around the 1-54 exhibition twice to soak it all in, we headed off for a quick lunch and then to our next stop, The Royal Academy of Arts. On the way out, I bumped into someone I knew who was headed in. I was so excited about what was waiting for her inside.
The RA is another gorgeous, very British building with very high ceilings. It would be hard to top the experience at the 1-54 exhibition, but this was a great way to close the day. The RA feels quite grand. I think it’s the ceiling. I love high ceilings.
It was a lovely exhibition, and I will definitely be back for more in 2022. One of the most incredible things about London is how accessible everything is and the diversity of arts and experiences. There are always so many places to see and experience people's creativity and work.