Also Known As Africa (AKAA) Fair in Paris

The rain poured heavily this weekend but that didn’t stop thousands of enthusiastic art lovers to head to Le Carreau du Temple in the 11th Arrondissement of Paris this past weekend for the Also Known As Africa (AKAA) Art Fair, the first contemporary African art fair to take place in Paris.

The event which took place from the 11-13 November, was an amalgamation of talented artists from all over Africa, showcasing their artwork to the delight of exhibition go-ers.

Farida Hamak, ‘Sur les traces’, 2013, photographie d’après négatif 6×7, 82 x 102 cm ?© Farida Hamak – Courtesy Regard Sud galerie

“AKAA opens the dialog and invites artists, galleries, collectors, amateurs, curators, and art critics to contribute to the development of an art scene that brings together diverse perspectives as the world looks at Africa, and Africa looks at the world. We are, each of us, invited to share our story, our singularity, and our vision.” said AKAA Founder and Director, Victoria Mann.

She continues, “Contemporary artists from Africa are succeeding in reversing the historical trends and prejudices that have often been a barrier to recognition. The world is turning its gaze toward the contemporary arts from Africa, and AKAA is joining forces with this vital movement.”

Featuring works from across the continent such as Hassan Hajjaj, a contemporary artist who lives and works between London, UK and Marrakech, Morocco, and is known as the “Andy Warhol of Marrakech” to Gilles Caron, whose extraordinary body of work depicts the horrific civil war in Biafra, Nigeria.

Gilles CARON
Combattant Ibo, guerre sécessioniste du Biafra, Nigéria. ©Fondation Gilles Caron. Courtesy School Gallery – Olivier Castaing

The event consisted of a total of 30 galleries and 123 artists who reflected their international recognition of the contemporary art scene.

The public was invited to discover this unifying platform showcasing the richness and diversity of contemporary art and design from Africa, bringing together all those committed to this movement.

Ndiyayekelela by Nobukho Nqaba at AKAA Art Fair. Image courtesy of visi.co.za

Prints on prints at the Cape and Cape stall at the AKAA Fair in Paris.

Featured at AKAA: Award winning ‘Habrée series portraying the last immigrants feautiring facial scarifications in Abidjan. Artist: Joana Choumali

Featured at AKAA Paris: Caron (1939-1970) leaves behind more than 100 000 photographs. His extraordinary body of work left and inedible in print on the history of photography from the late 60’s. Portrait of s Nigerian soldier.

Ethiopian artist Girma Berta presents ‘Moving Shadows’, incorporates cut outs of street photography extracted from mobile phone images and isolated against digitally created backdrops – with the entire creative process, from capture to editing, to publication, produced within his mobile device.

Photography by Justin Dingwall. This photo series focuses on albinism by placing it directly in the context of the “conventional” beauty we are exposed to in mainstream [media]. The stances and clothing give the power to the subject, something that is usually viewed through awkward and total othering in South Africa.

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