And this February is its debutante ball, as the renowned African art fair, 1:54, and the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (Macaal) both launch in Marrakech the same week. As the influence of Chinese art has waned, contemporary African art fairs have popped up in New York, London and Paris, and African art exhibitions have been given prominence throughout Europe. Last year, the spotlight was firmly on Cape Town due to the launch of Zeitz Mocaa – the world’s first dedicated contemporary African art museum – which cemented the beach city’s status as a cultural hub. It will show the family’s 2,000-strong collection of African art alongside rolling exhibitions dedicated to life on the continent, beginning with “Africa is No Island”, which explores national identity through photography. Committed to showing work by emerging North African artists, it has launched many careers.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 14, 2018 11:15 UTC