The AKAA Fair aims to promote the cultural and artistic diversity of Africa and its diaspora, showcasing emerging as well as established artists. Each year, the art event offers a selection of new works of art, design, photography, fashion and performances to delight the public and art lovers alike. This exclusive art fair, a staple of autumn’s Paris Art Week, returns to the Carreau du Temple until October 22 for its eighth edition, with a rich and entertaining program to delight participants and spectators alike. Featuring renowned galleries from around the world, original encounters and performances by major players in the art world, Also Know As Africa 2023 is set to be another dynamic celebration of contemporary art from Africa and its diasporas.
Galleries participating in the eighth edition of AKAA
Numerous internationally renowned galleries will be taking part in this major contemporary art summit. The space prepared for this edition of AKAA will host 37 international galleries, all selected by an international selection committee made up of three qualified personalities from the art world, including Bénédicte Alliot, Director General of the Cité des Arts in Paris; Ifeoma Dike, psychologist, consultant, curator and activist and Anne de Villepoix, Director of Galerie Anne de Villepoix.
Galerie Anne de Villepoix, This is Not a White Cube, Backslash, Kalashnikovv Gallery and Nomad Gallery are among the exhibitors returning to the show, along with a total of 117 artists in all media. Almost all of these art institutions share a common goal: to unveil a new, innovative contemporary art scene by supporting the artists who are the key players in this exciting vision.
31 PROJECT
31 PROJECT is a gallery dedicated to promoting the contemporary African art scene through multidisciplinary exhibitions by artists from the continent and its diaspora. Designed according to a flexible model to better showcase the vitality and richness of African art, this French art space plays an active role in the export of African art worldwide. For this edition of AKAA, 31 PROJECT gallery will present the artists Epheas Maposa, Georgina Maxim and Aviwe Plaatjie.
193 GALLERY
Diverse, experimental and innovative, 193 Gallery takes you on a profound exploration of art and the global art scene. Located at 24 & 21 rue Béranger in Paris, it nurtures artistic creation through a residency program, while maintaining an international presence through fairs, space openings and special projects. This year’s 193 Gallery featured artist is April Bey.
AFRICA FIRST X LYS CONTEMPORARY ART
Two contemporary art platforms collaborating with the same aim: to support emerging artists from the continent and the diaspora, while maintaining a close link with the various players involved (artists, artworks and art enthusiasts). While AFRICA FIRST puts its residency programs and acquisitions of personal works at the service of emerging artists, the LYS CONTEMPORARY ART platform strives to weave a concise connection between those concerned. A fruitful collaboration which, for this edition of AKAA, highlights the artists Kidan-Abekyelesh Belay, Mpho Feni, Kutlo Mabua, Tafadzwa Masudi and Sizwe Sama.
AFRICAN ARTY
African Arty is a gallery and artistic residence dedicated to contemporary African art and its diaspora. Focusing mainly on young talent, the art institute offers tailor-made support to artists, developing their careers thanks to their vast network of contacts. In partnership with various galleries, curators and institutions, African Arty creates opportunities to promote and showcase the work of its emerging artists. For this eighth edition of AKAA, the art space presents Rahma Lhoussig.
AKKA PROJECT
AKKA Project is a commercial art venue and project space set up to represent and support primarily artists from the African continent and its diaspora. With two galleries, one in Dubai and the other in Venice, AKKA Project brings a new perspective to the art world by exporting the work of its artists to new geographical horizons. For AKAA 2023, the artists presented by the gallery are Filipe Branquinho, Pamela Enyonu and Alexandre Kyungu.
AFRONOVA GALLERY
Administered by Émilie Demon since 2020, Johannesburg-based art gallery AFRONOVA focuses on promoting and showcasing a new generation of innovative artists from South Africa’s impactful art scene. Renowned for its selection of photographic artists, AFRONOVA GALLERY presents Sibusiso Bheka, Alice Mann and Dimakatso Mathopa at this year’s AKAA.
ARTCO GALLERY
Founded in 2003 by Jutta and Joachim Melchers, ARTCO GALLERY represents local and international artists, mainly established and emerging ones from the African continent. The gallery is also particularly interested in artists working in mediums such as painting and photography. For AKAA 2023, ARTCO GALLERY will present Saïdou Dicko, Justin Dingwall, Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway, Thomias Ludovic Radin and Patrick Tagoe-Turkson.
BACKSLASH
The art space offers artists an international, ever-changing follow-up. It is committed to supporting young artists at every stage of their careers, and to presenting audiences with cutting-edge monographic and group exhibitions. BACKSLASH gallery frequently takes part in artistic events in France and abroad, and takes its artists to the forefront of large-scale projects. For this edition of AKAA 2023, the gallery presents Fahamu Pecou and Duncan Wylie.
BAND OF VICES
Singularity, diversity and inclusion are parameters welcomed with fervor at contemporary art space BAND OF VICES. Founded in 2015, it is an arts and cultural organization committed to providing a platform for often effete creative communities and a narrative through constantly evolving initiatives. Located in Los Angeles’ burgeoning West Adams arts district, Band of Vices is dedicated to installing a platform for historically underappreciated, overlooked or sidelined individuals or groups. At AKAA 2023, it will present Victoria Cassinova and Tommy Mitchell.
BY LARA SEDBON
The contemporary artists represented by the art center By Lara Sedbon, stand out for their profound and resolutely creative artistic technique. Founded in 2019, it places at the heart of its organization, the connection between the contemporary dimension and the form of classicism that their art takes on. Galerie By Lara Sedbon will present Aurélie Bauer, Rebecca Brodskis and Lélia Demoisy for this edition of AKAA.
EBONY/CURATED
The EBONY/CURATED gallery is a leading South African art space renowned for its ability to unearth promising talent from the continent and the African diaspora. The art center’s programming spans three spaces and showcases exceptional contemporary and modern artworks. EBONY/CURATED regularly participates in local and international art events, and the work of its artists appears in numerous renowned private and public collections. Hugh Byrne, Haneem Christian, Ian Garrett and Zemba Luzamba will be the artists presented by the gallery for this AKAA 2023.
FISHEYE GALLERY
Fisheye Gallery represents a young gallery, dedicated exclusively to showcasing contemporary photographic art. Opened in October 2016, the gallery represents artists with diverse writings to innovate their art practice. It offers an uncomplicated international emerging program and spots talents with creative photographic writings within European art fairs and public institutions. The gallery is presided over by Benoît Baume, co-founder of the Fisheye group and owner of a magazine of the same name dedicated to photography news and the economic, cultural and sociological importance of this art form in our society. For AKAA 2023, Fisheye Gallery presents artist photographer Delphine Diallo.
GALERIE 110 VÉRONIQUE RIEFFEL
Galerie 110 Véronique Rieffel relocates its art space to France, at the center of the Paris art scene. In partnership with established and committed artists, the art space presents itself as a place for sharing and representing the aesthetic currents specific to these artists, and maintains a close link with the African continent. A continent which initially hosted the art space and with which the gallery still wishes to be in touch to unveil all the richness of its creative art. Galerie 110 Véronique Rieffel will be presenting Sanae Arraqas at this year’s art fair.
GALERIE ANNE DE VILLEPOIX
Galerie Anne de Villepoix is a multidisciplinary art space. It supports the materialization of art through a variety of artistic media, including installation, painting, film, sculpture, graphic research and ceramics, among others. The art space offers mainly solo exhibitions and participates in numerous world-renowned art fairs. The artists presented for AKAA 2023 by Galerie Anne de Villepoix will be Atsoupé, Yassine Balbzioui, Bouvy Enkobo and Franck Lundangi.
GALERIE CAMILLE POUYFAUCON
Initially nomadic, Galerie Camille Pouyfaucon opened its doors permanently in October 2022 in Paris, 75006, 19 rue Guénégaud. The gallery’s main objective is to highlight the young artistic generation, focusing on emerging French and international artists. The institute seeks to establish new talents in the art market and to make direct contact with young collectors, promising architects of tomorrow’s art market. Galerie Camille Pouyfaucon will be presenting David Mbuyi at this year’s AKAA.
GALERIE MARION CHAUVY
Since his arrival in 2016, Galerie Marion Chauvy’s new collaborator, Alexandre Vial, has promoted exhibitions by contemporary African artists such as Soly Cissé, Wole Lagunju, Victor Olaoyé, Samuel Nnorom, Tonia Nneji and Ibrahim Ballo. The gallery collaborates with numerous institutions, including the Institut Français, the Cité Internationale des Arts, the CAC Passerelle in Brest, the Centre Montevidéo in Marseille, and the Fondation Pernod-Ricard, for loans of works or residency support. At the heart of its programming is the development of a new cultural geography and a constructive interdisciplinary and intergenerational confrontation, by supporting artists who are aware of international issues and contexts. For this edition of AKAA, the contemporary art space will present Soly Cissé.
GALERIE VALLOIS
Founded by Robert Vallois in 1983, Galerie Vallois Art Moderne et Contemporain was initially devoted to contemporary sculpture. It then gradually opened up to other mediums and today represents a wide diversity of artists in a variety of artistic media. Since 2012, the gallery has focused on promoting the younger generation of African visual artists, mainly from Benin, but also from Cuba. In 2013, the art space demonstrated its commitment to the new generation of Beninese artists by financing the construction of the Centre Arts et Cultures in Abomey-Calavi, a multidisciplinary space dedicated to contemporary creation. For AKAA 2023, Galerie Vallois is presenting a large number of artists, including Youss Atacora, Charly d’Almeida, Épaphras Dègnon Toïhen, Benjamin Déguénon, Nathanaël Vodouhè and Dominique Zinkpé.
GALERIE VOSS X REINERS CONTEMPORARY ART
Located near the famous gallery district, Galerie Voss specializes in contemporary art. It takes part in art fairs all over Europe, and places close collaboration with other art institutes at the heart of its programming. Galerie Voss produces the monographs of the artists it represents, and supports established artists and innovative mid-career propositions to create a fruitful exchange between artists of different generations, media and cultural backgrounds. Kika Carvalho, Éder Oliveira, Idowu Oluwaseun and Fransix Tenda Lomba will be the artists presented by the gallery for AKAA 2023.
GALLERY BRULHART
GALLERY BRULHART takes a forward-looking approach to contemporary African women’s art. Through solo and group exhibitions dedicated exclusively to African and Afro-descendant artists, it promotes contemporary African women’s art as a valuable and creative form of artistic expression that interrogates numerous complexities linked to politics, history, identity and the environment. GALLERY BRULHART is delighted to be able to highlight the richness and relevance of African women’s artistic practice. It will present the artists Theresah Ankomah and Sheila Nakitende for this edition of AKAA 2023.
GALLERY SOVIEW
Gallery Soview dedicates its art space to promoting young African artists and developing their careers on the continent and beyond. With a selection of artists in a variety of media and a 360° view of the world, it offers innovative exhibitions and artistic events capable of interconnecting the general public with the world of contemporary art. Its next expansion project is to establish greater interaction between French-speaking and English-speaking West Africa. Apollinaire Guidimbaye will be the artist presented by Gallery Soview at this year’s AKAA.
KALASHNIKOVV GALLERY
Directed by two cultural investigators, MJ Turpin and Matthew Dean Dowdle, KALASHNIKOVV GALLERY was conceived in 2013, following a sinusoidal model for the visual arts. It favors a collaborative relationship between itself and the artists it represents, most of whom are emerging or established artists. Acting as both a commercial art space and a project space, the gallery promotes the development of its artists through residencies, fairs and other events. KALASHNIKOVV GALLERY will present Isaac Zavale for AKAA 2023.
KARIM FRANCIS CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY
The Karim Francis Contemporary Art Gallery was set up to showcase contemporary Egyptian art. It is a unique space where several sculptural and pictorial works are housed in order to showcase Egyptian art and share it nationally, regionally and internationally. The gallery offers perpetual support to past, present and contemporary Egyptian artists, promoting their work in a variety of artistic styles and media. For this edition of AKAA, Mustafa El Husseiny will be presented by the Egyptian art gallery.
KUB’ART GALLERY
KUB’ART GALLERY showcases African contemporary artistic innovation, and exhibits works by African artists and Afro-descendants in its digital and physical space. For this eighth edition of AKAA, it will present artists Eddie Budiongo, Rachel Malaika and Prisca Munkeni Furie.
LIS10 GALLERY
LIS10 Gallery is a new art space that was built in 2019, following the meeting of two art enthusiasts, Alberto Chiavacci, an art collector and lover of contemporary African art, and Nicola Furini, an experienced gallerist in modern and contemporary art. This fruitful encounter has opened up an additional artistic window for the promotion of contemporary African art in Italy and France. The two gallerists will present the artists Armand Boua and Yeanzi to cover this eighth edition of AKAA.
LOO & LOU GALLERY
LOO & LOU GALLERY is a French gallery committed to promoting young talent and established artists. It strives to initiate dialogues between artists and to nurture different inspirations for the conception of experimental, new and innovative work. In particular, the gallery focuses on a selection of artists whose artistic practice explores the living, the body and portraiture inspired by the theme of nature. Expanding its programming, the art space opens a new section entitled “Cartes Blanches“, inviting independent curators to support its artistic propensity and unearth new approaches and emerging artists. LOO & LOU GALLERY will present artist Andrew Ntshabele for this AKAA 2023.
MCC GALLERY
Managed by Fatima-Zohra Bennani Bennis, MCC Galery is an art venue committed to bringing to life the ambitions of the artists it represents through evolving exhibitions and large-format projects. Participating in the innovative renaissance of contemporary art in Morocco, the gallery aims to promote Moroccan contemporary art according to unanimous international criteria, in order to dynamically give a name to the continent’s artists. For this AKAA, the artist Amine El Gotaibi will be presented by the MCC Gallery.
MOVART
MOVART is the first commercial gallery to open in Angola, in Luanda in 2017. It will open a second one in Lisbon in 2020, and has participated in numerous art fairs and pop-up events around the world, as well as organizing multiple original exhibitions involving curators. MOVART is centralizing the activities of its two galleries to better impact the global art sector. While MOVART Luanda dedicates its activity to residencies and the search for new talent, MOVART Lisbon promotes the emergence of as yet unknown artists through exhibition projects, while focusing on the internationalization of its artists and program. The artists presented by the gallery for this eighth edition of Also Know As Africa are : Fidel Évora, Keyezua, Mário Macilau and Kwame Sousa.
NOMAD GALLERY
In its art space, Nomad Gallery mainly presents works by emerging and established artists from Africa and its diaspora. The Belgian gallery has also succeeded in inserting works by the artists it represents into numerous museum institutions, private and corporate collections. It will be presenting the artists Kay Hassan, Troy Makaza and Aimé Mpane for this AKAA 2023.
O’DA ART GALLERY
Through engaging exhibitions assimilating art and design, O’DA Art Gallery creates an immersive art space that envelops the public in fresh artistic creativity. Established as a contemporary art gallery, it specializes in contemporary art and design from the African continent and its diaspora. O’DA Art Gallery strives to bridge the gap between local and international audiences by supporting established and mid-career artists. In this fruitful artistic collaboration, the gallery makes a point of celebrating multi-faceted and innovative designers who explore a wide range of themes such as identity, technology, political commentary, social consciousness and environmental change. The artists presented by the contemporary art gallery for AKAA 2023 will be Soji Adesina, Taiye Idahor and Obinna Makata.
OPENARTEXCHANGE
OpenArtExchange is a young, independent and fast-growing international gallery whose ambition is to become a meeting place for non-Western artists, showcasing their rich and relevant contemporary artistic vision. Through a multi-faceted approach including physical events (festivals, auctions, fairs, etc.) and online media (social networks, art platforms, among others), the gallery promotes and sells its large collection of contemporary African artworks. Sanda Amadou and Serge Diama will be the artists proposed by the OpenArtExchange gallery for this AKAA 2023.
PERVE GALERIA
Perve Galeria is an art space located in Lisbon’s historic center, dedicated to the development and promotion of cultural, artistic and technological projects on both a national and international scale. The gallery presents exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, and aims to contribute to the development of artists from Portuguese-speaking countries. For this AKAA, the gallery will present a selection of distinguished artists such as José Eduardo Agualusa, Teresa Roza d’Oliveira, Valter Hugo Mãe, Reinata Sadimba and Ernesto Shikhani.
PRIMO MARELLA GALLERY
Founded in 1992, Primo Marella Gallery has always supported the documentation and promotion of emerging artists and movements from diverse backgrounds. Primo Marella Gallery focuses mainly on emerging regions from Asia to Africa, and is a pioneer in the study of these complex and constantly evolving art scenes. It will be presenting artists Joël Andrianomearisoa, Hako Hankson, Abdoulaye Konaté and Tegene Kunbi.
REVIE PROJECTS X GALERIE LOFT
REVIE PROJECTS X GALERIE LOFT share a common artistic ideal, and both seek to promote contemporary art from diverse backgrounds. Dedicated to supporting and optimizing emerging and established French and international artistic innovation, Revie Projects adopts a dynamic programming approach to achieve this goal. As for Galerie LOFT, it breaks away from the traditional pattern of galleries and embraces an innovative approach imbued with the ideology of its creator Jean-François Roudillon, who promotes contemporary art from all over the world. It offers a fresh look at art and provides solid support for artists throughout their career development, helping to introduce new art forms. AKAA will welcome artists Margaux Derhy, Amine Habki, Kévin Ademola Sangosanya and Yazid Oulad proposed by the two contemporary art galleries.
SO ART GALLERY
Founded in 2012 by Ghizlaine Guessous, So Art Gallery is a benchmark artistic venue in Morocco that welcomes young and new talents who stand out for their artistic approach. It represents prominent players in contemporary art as well as local and international artists developing a particular interest in photography and painting. The artists to be presented by the Moroccan gallery for this edition of AKAA will be Ebenezer Akinola, Ghany Belmaachi, Ange Dakouo and Ahmed Hajoubi.
TALMART
The TALMART gallery is a French art space that aims to promote exhibited artists such as Adama Sylla, Shadi Alzaqzouq, Jean-Marc Forax and Walid Ardhaoui, and to be open to proposals from curators with innovative projects. Founded in 2007, it represented the international scene in the Maghreb and Middle East for seven years before suspending its activities for eight. It will reopen its doors in 2022, and is keen to collaborate with cultural institutions and nomadic gallery projects. Adama Sylla will be the artist presented by the gallery for AKAA 2023.
THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE
An international contemporary art gallery, THIS NOT A WHITE CUBE collaborates with established and emerging international artists. It is a frequent participant in major international art fairs, and presents a program that promotes relevant and engaging artistic discussion around the African continent and its diaspora. THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE gallery will present Cassio Markowski at this year’s AKAA.
YOSR BEN AMMAR GALLERY
Yosr Ben Ammar Gallery, originally known as Kanvas Art Gallery, is a space dedicated to the expression and presentation of modern and contemporary art. It has represented a number of well-known artists and has also contributed to the emergence of a new generation of Tunisian artists. The first gallery to take an interest in and devote itself to street art since 2015, it finds itself saddled with a reputation for being avant-garde and committed. AKAA 2023 will welcome Abdesslem Ayed, Slimen Elkamel and Nabil Souabi as artists presented by Yosr Ben Ammar Gallery.
“The Encounters” : a cultural program inaugurated at AKAA 2023
To provide real support and guidance for exhibition projects in perpetual creative growth, Also Know As Africa has set up The Encounters. A discussion around which artists, curators, thinkers, invited art professionals and visitors are invited to interact on this cultural platform inaugurated for the first time within the art fair. Themes covering contemporary art, the art market in Africa and beyond will be debated and viewed from a variety of perspectives, with a view to grasping the full scope of the subject. The discussion salon will be held at the Carreau du Temple auditorium and will be administered by AKAA artistic director Armelle Dakouo.
The focus of this first debate will be curatorial practice, a theme whose notions and issues play a part in the growth of an artist’s career. Entitled “D’Autres viendront” (“Others will come”), this artistic discussion will involve several curatorial avenues, including artists and artist collectives, curators and artistic communities, under a system of invitations known as cartes blanches. These different presences will create an intermediary space for debate on the notion of curatorial practice, and will also feed into the third edition of the AKAA 2023 Art Book, written by authors Armelle Dakouo, Allison Glenn and Jeanne Mercier.
The AKAA 2023 monumental installation and VIP lounge
For its eighth edition, Also Know As Africa is for the first time entrusting the administration of its monumental installation to a guest curator, Dr. Fahamu Pecou, artist and founder of the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta. Following a curatorial proposal by the curator, an installation by artist Cosmo Whyte will be exhibited under the glass roofs of the Carreau du Temple.
The VIP lounge at AKAA 2023 will feature a new exhibition by Richard Mudariki. The artist and founder of the artHarare Contemporary platform has been invited to occupy the AKAA 2023 VIP lounge. Through an immersive scenography, Richard Mudariki will highlight the work of five female artists from Zimbabwe, namely Prudence Chimutuwah, Fungai Marima, Tanaka Mazivanhanga, Linnet Rubaya and Xanthe Somers. This groundbreaking exhibition reveals the powerful voices of this generation of contemporary women visual artists, who describe their nation through their art. An opportunity for the Parisian public to discover this new voice of emerging female artists from this part of the African continent.
