1-54 New York Lines-Up More Than 20 Exhibitors for 2026 Fair

The 1-54th edition of Contemporary African Art Fair has announced that more than 20 galleries will participate in the next edition of the fair, which will be held from May 13 to 17 at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea.

The exhibition will be held at the Shed concurrently with Frieze New York, and another exhibition, NADA New York, will also be held at Starrett-Lehigh. Following its last iteration in 2024, 1-54 returns to the iconic Chelsea building.

The show will bring together returning galleries such as 193 Gallery, Galerie Myrtis and Kates-Ferri Projects, as well as first-time exhibitors such as Adegbola Gallery (Lagos), Aura (São Paulo), The Current: Baha Mar Gallery & Art Center (Nassau) and Picture Theory Projects (New York).

Touria El Glaoui, founder of 1-54, said in a statement: “This year’s exhibitors underscore 1-54’s international reach, welcoming many first-time participants from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas. Each edition strengthens our commitment to championing diverse perspectives and connecting audiences to the dynamics and ever-expanding narratives of the African diaspora.”

This issue of 1-54 will also introduce a new curated section titled “1-54 Presents: Brazil Beyond Brazil.” Organized by independent curator Igor Simões, the section will highlight works by Afro-Brazilian artists, paying homage to Brazil’s history as the largest country for people of African descent outside the African continent. According to a press release, “Brazil Beyond Brazil” will feature works that “engage in archival research, reinterpret the legacy of modernism, and question the construction of national and art historical narratives.”

“With ‘Brazil Beyond Brazil,’ we extend 1-54’s mission to build dialogue and exchange across geographies by highlighting Afro-Brazilian perspectives,” said El Glaoui art news Via email. “Igor Simons’s talk challenges simplistic interpretations of Brazilian art and instead embraces the depth, complexity, and rigor of artists who are reshaping how we understand African identity and diaspora on the global stage.”

The complete list of exhibitors is below.