Gallery 1957 Presents a Group Exhibition in Collaboration With Christie's Dubai

On November 14 and for the duration of one month, Gallery 1957 will open [West] African Renaissance, an exhibition in collaboration with Christie’s Dubai. On view will be a selection of its most esteemed artists from West Africa, such as Ghanaian artists Gideon Appah, Kwesi Botchway, Joshua Oheneba Takyi, Lord Ohene Okyere Bour, Annan Affotey, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Isshaq Ismail Godfried Donkor, Arthur Timothy and Afia Prempeh as well as works by Nigerian painters Oliver Okolo, Juwon Aderemi, and Peter Ojingiri. These artists have been trailblazers in what is considered to be a Renaissance for modern and contemporary art from Africa and the African diaspora, with artists from the continent gaining recognition regionally and globally.

Over the last decade, artists from the African continent have been displayed at art fairs, biennials, major exhibitions and are included in the permanent collections of some of the world’s most established art institutions. Art fairs dedicated solely to artists from Africa and the diaspora now take place throughout the world, further defining the importance of modern and contemporary art from Africa—a continent that has always been influential.

The paintings included in [West] African Renaissance capture Africa, and more specifically, the nations of West Africa on the brink of ideological change, as seen by artists within the continent. They mark a West African cultural Renaissance that has been rising for many years. Finally, as the poignant figures in these works seem to say, and as the artists would undoubtedly agree, the world is noticing us.

Marwan Zakhem, Founder of Gallery 1957,

“Working with Christie’s, a vocal promoter of African Contemporary art internationally is an obvious fit,” said Marwan Zakhem. “Our focus has always been to support the careers of West African artists, and to ensure they continue to reach new audiences on the global stage. In partnering with Christie’s Dubai, the ever-flourishing creativity of the continent will continue to be seen by international audiences in a part of the world where collectors have long championed our work.”

Michael Jeha, Chairman Christie’s Middle East,

“Following the ongoing collaboration with 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Christie’s is delighted to partner with Gallery 1957 to present a wonderful exhibition of contemporary African art to our longstanding clients and interested audience in the Middle East and beyond. Christies.com will feature the entire exhibition online to engage an even wider arts community, offering a truly international platform to a very talented generation of African artists,” commented Michael Jeha, Chairman Christie’s Middle East.