The 19th edition of Art Paris Art Fair will be held from March 30 to April 2, 2017 at the Grand Palais, Paris. This eclectic art fair which focuses on all forms of artistic expression will bring together 139 modern and contemporary art galleries from France and abroad.
Spotlight on modern and contemporary African art
Since 2012, the Art Paris Art Fair has highlighted modern and contemporary art from under-represented countries on the international art scene, with previous editions focusing on Russia, China, South-East Asia and South Korea. The 2017 edition of the Paris Art Fair will focus on previously unseen aspects of contemporary African art (under the guidance of cultural consultant and independent exhibition curator Marie-Ann Yemsi) as well as African and other wide-ranging influences on African artists.
As part of the Africa focus, twenty art galleries from South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Senegal, Tunisia and Europe will showcase talented emerging generation of artists from the African continent and its diaspora worldwide. Amongst others, monographic exhibitions will feature works by artists Mohau Modisakeng, who will also represent South Africa at the upcoming Venice Biennale (Whatiftheworld Gallery), Billie Zangewa (Afronova Gallery) and Mario Macilau (Ed Cross Fine Art).
Visitors can also see large-scale works on paper by Gareth Nyandoro, who will represent Zimbabwe at the 56th Venice Biennale (Tiwani Contemporary), repurposed objects by Romuald Hazoumé (October Gallery) and poetic installations by the Cameroonian artist Bili Bidjocka (Afriart Gallery / l’Agence à Paris).
Increased international representation at Art Paris Art Fair 2017
The 2017 edition of the Art Paris Art Fair will see an increased international representation, with 29 countries (as compared to 22 in 2016) and 52% non-French exhibiting galleries. European galleries include ADN Galería (Barcelona), Galeria Alvaro Alcazar (Madrid), Montoro 12 (Rome), Guy Pieters Gallery (Knokke-Heist) and Flatland Gallery (Amsterdam).
The art fair will also see exhibitions by 13 art galleries from different parts of France, including Cédric Bacqueville (Lille), D.X Galerie (Bordeaux) and J.P. Ritsch-Fisch (Strasbourg). Newcomer Parisian art galleries such as Philippe Gravier, Sobering, Perpitch & Bringand and In camera will join regulars Lahumière, Nathalie Obadia, Daniel Templon, Paris-Beijing and Rabouan Moussion.
The art fair will also see presentations by an increased number of modern art galleries such as Die Galerie (Frankfurt), Frans Jacob (Amsterdam), Michel Descours (Lyon), Martin du Louvre (Paris) and Galerie Bert (Paris).
Focus on emerging and up-and-coming artists
The Promises section at the Art Paris Art Fair, 2017 will feature exhibitions by twelve newly established international art galleries. Further, in partnership with ‘The Fine Art Collective’, the 2017 edition will see the launch of L’art est vivant award to honour one of the artists whose work is presented in the Promises section. L’art est vivant is a collective of enthusiasts and collectors who are passionate about the contemporary art scene and support cultural actions for promoting and aiding emerging creative talents.
The art fair will be dotted with some twenty monographic shows allowing visitors to discover or rediscover works of contemporary and up-and-coming artists. An exciting feature will be the Bus Expo, a travelling exhibition created in collaboration with Le Bus Direct Paris Aéroport, an endeavour to make art more accessible to the general public. From March 25, 2017 to April 2, 2017, the Bus Expo will exhibit works of five artists selected from the 2017 edition’s solo shows.
Events at and around Art Paris Art Fair 2017
The Art Paris Art Fair will be accompanied by several events focused on African art at Grand Palais and around. The Grand Palais will screen a selection of films under the title Les territoires du corps (Territories of Body) traversing artists whose work explores the body as subject as well as a means of expression.
La Colonie, a new space designed to encourage free and independent thinking created by artist Kader Attia, will host a day of conferences and meetings that will bring together key cultural figures committed to the promotion of African artists.
Elsewhere in Paris, La Villette will exhibit contemporary African art at its exhibition Afriques Capitales which forms part of its larger festival 100% Afrique. At Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, internationally renowned South African photographer Roger Ballen collaborates with Netherlands-based artist Hans Lemmen for an ethereal exhibition Unleashed. Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac will be presenting L’Afrique des routes and performances by South African isicathamiya group Phuphuma Love Minus. Finally, Musée Dapper will welcome Senegalese artist Soly Cissé and Galerie des Galeries will host Le jour qui vient, an exhibition featuring a whole new generation of African artists.
Art Paris Art Fair 2017 will run from March 30, 2017 to April 2, 2017 at the Grand Palais, Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris Entrance fee €25-€12, free admission for children under age 10. Tickets can be reserved in advance here.
March 30, 2017 to April 2, 2017
At Grand Palais
Art Paris Art Fair 2017
The 19th edition of Art Paris Art Fair, to be held from March 30, 2017 to April 2, 2017 at the Grand Palais, will bring together 139 modern and contemporary international art galleries with a special focus on African art.
