The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to Somerset House in London from 15 to 18 October 2026, placing renewed attention on modernist artists from Africa and its diaspora alongside contemporary work.
According to Somerset House , the 14th consecutive London edition introduces curated modernist presentations and a special exhibition titled West Wind. Thursday, 15 October is the press and VIP preview, with public visiting days following from 16 to 18 October.
West Wind Revisits African Modernism
West Wind is curated by South African-Portuguese art historian and visual studies scholar Dr Nancy Dantas. The exhibition explores artistic approaches that emerged across different African countries and communities during the twentieth century.
A preview by Wallpaper identifies pioneering figures including Ibrahim El-Salahi and Alexander “Skunder” Boghossian among the artists brought into focus. The exhibition takes its name from a song by Miriam Makeba.
The emphasis on modernism invites visitors to consider African artists as contributors to the development of modern art, rather than treating their work as a single artistic tradition.
Contemporary Projects Expand the Programme
The fair also includes contemporary presentations addressing identity, cultural memory, and economic value. Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj’s My London Rockstars portraits feature figures from London’s creative scene, while Kianda Contemporary Art Project presents Angola, Angolé, Angolema, bringing together artists linked to Angola and its diaspora.
Commodity / Couture, a project by the Midunu Institute led by Selassie Atadika, explores Ghanaian cocoa through a sensory installation examining the journey from production to finished products and the distribution of value along that chain.
These projects show the range of practices represented at the fair, from portraiture and painting to installations that examine cultural and economic questions.
Public Talks: Examine Recognition and Institutions
A discussion titled African Modernists and the Winds of Change is scheduled for Friday, 16 October, from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Moderated by Dantas, it will consider the historical and cultural forces shaping African modernism.
Another panel, Contemporary African Art After the Spotlight: Visibility, Value and the Institutions Still to Come, is scheduled for Saturday, 17 October. It will explore how international attention can support lasting cultural institutions, collections, and opportunities for artists.
Trivane View
The fair offers an opportunity to give greater attention to African artists whose contributions to modern art have not always received equal recognition. The longer-term test will be whether that attention leads to more research, stronger collections, and lasting support for artists and institutions.
