1-54 Online, powered by Christie’s

London & Online | 13–17 October 2021

Christie's is proud to support the ninth London edition of 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. 1-54 Online, powered by Christie’s is an innovative platform showcasing about 500 works and more than 150 artists from across Africa and the diaspora; alongside the physical exhibition at Somerset House.

1-54 is also delighted to present the exhibition REDEFINING THE TREND - History in the Making, curated by Christine Eyene. The exhibition will be on view at Christie's London from 9–15 October.

With three editions per year, in London, New York and Marrakech — and a unique in person fair held at Christie’s Paris in January 2021 — 1-54 is the leading international art fair dedicated to Africa’s 54 countries and its global diaspora. As its name establishes, 1-54 strives to promote vibrant and dynamic contemporary art from a diverse set of African perspectives and bring it to new audiences.

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Somerset House
Strand, London WC2R 1LA

VIP & Press Previews
Thursday, 14 October, 10am–6pm
Friday, 15 October, 10am–8pm

1-54 London Public Days
Saturday, 16 October, 10am–8pm
Sunday, 17 October, 10am–6pm

The online art fair

Visit our online viewing room and discover remarkable works of contemporary African art from around 48 international exhibitors. View artworks in 3D, search by artists, filter location or enquire directly about an artwork — all online.

VIP access: 13 October
Open to public: 14–17 October

Explore now


Special exhibition

REDEFINING THE TREND - Histories in the Making
Curated by Christine Eyene

Free admission | Christie's London, 9-15 October

REDEFINING THE TREND - Histories in the Making is a 1-54 highlights exhibition that explores how new artistic practices from Africa and the diaspora contribute to the defining of present aesthetics, discourses, and creative processes, while opening new chapters in the continent’s art histories.

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Meet the curator

‘Contemporary African art is entrenched now’

Christine Eyene, curator of the 1-54 highlights exhibition REDEFINING THE TREND - Histories in the Making at Christie’s, reveals her vision for the future of African art.

Read feature


1-54 presents Osinachi X Christie’s NFT series

Different Shades of Water, an NFT series
Offered in First Open: Post-War and Contemporary Art Online

Online Auction | 5–19 October


Christie’s and 1-54 present an auction of Different Shades of Water, an NFT series by Nigerian crypto-artist, Osinachi. The NFTs are offered in Christie's First Open: Post-War and Contemporary Art Online auction. Open for bidding until 19 October, the sale is dedicated to an exciting selection of works by leading international artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Born Prince Jacon Osinachi Igwe, Osinachi is a visual artist whose work explores personal experience within a technological environment. Known widely as one of Africa’s foremost crypto-artists, Osinachi believes each piece he creates is a challenge that empowers him to become an even better artist. Aesthetically and procedurally, Osinachi’s work explores visible existence as an act of protest. Curated by Daria Borisova, the digital artworks associated with the NFTs in Different Shades of Water were inspired by David Hockney’s Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972). Osinachi imagines how the pool would look with different shades of water. The artist plays with the positioning of the subject’s body and explores how daylight can change one’s perception of water in a pool. Each piece is also a commentary on the endless prioritisation of work and achievements over the wellbeing of the human body.

Explore the NFTs



Exhibitors