1-54 London : Dawit Abebe, Gerald Chukwuma, Tewodros Hagos, Lincoln Mwangi, Rufai Zakari

7 - 17 October 2021

1-54
Dawit Abebe, Gerald Chukwuma, Tewodros Hagos, Lincoln Mwangi, Rufai Zakari
Dawit Abebe

Dawit Abebe, (B.1978), graduated from the Alle School of Fine Art and Design, part of Addis Ababa University with a diploma in painting, sculpture, graphics, photography and industrial design in 2001. His work relies on vibrant, lively colours, which at times contradict the dark subject matter, addressing contemporary concerns about the environment, such as high-tech urbanisation and human idea of progress. In 2001, he founded the Habesha Art Studio in his native Ethiopia, where he continues to be a full-time artist-in-residence. In addition to numerous successful international exhibitions across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Abebe has also worked with charities such as UNICEF to hold workshops for street children in Arba Minch, Jinka and Addis Ababa.
- Solo exhibitions include Long Hands, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery Berlin (2021), EDIT, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2020); Mutual Identity, Addis Fine Art Gallery, Addis Ababa (2018); Liminal in the age of Mobile-ty, 68 Projects, Berlin (2018); “Quo Vadis?”, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2017); Background 2, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2015); Background 1, Lela Gallery, Addis Ababa (2014) and X Privacy, Alliance Ethio-Française, Addis Ababa (2012).
  
  Group exhibitions include Facing the Sun, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Germany (2021); 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, New York (2021); Devil´s in the detail, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2020); Karachi Biennial (2019); 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London (2019); Kubatana, Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium, Norway (2019); 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London (2018); Imago Mundi, Trieste, at Salone degli Incanti, Italy (2018); VOLTA13, Markthalle, Basel (2017); Everything Exists Now, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2017); Art Dubai, with Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Dubai (2017). Other major group show include What about Africa?, Witteveen Visual Art Centre, Amsterdam (2016); Pangaea II: New Art from Africa and Latin America, Saatchi Gallery, London (2015); Concerning The Internal at Circle Art Gallery, Nairobi (2015); Visibles/Invisibles, Fondation Blachere, Apt (2015); the display of the Habesha Art Collection at the National Museum in Addis Ababa (2014), and the touring exhibition Silver Sea Cross-Ship (2013-14).
- Highlights and Collections
  In 2021 Dawit Abebe is going to be part of the publication: African Artists, a book about Modern and Contemporary African artists, published by Phaidon. In 2019 Abebe was picked by Artnet as one of the two most important artists working out of Ethiopia today. In 2017 he was also named “Chevalier of Frances Order of Arts and Letters” and in 2021 Abebe received the First Place Award from the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture. Dawit Abebe has exhibited widely internationally and some of his major exhitions include Kubatana, Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium, Norway (2019); 1:54 Contemporary African Arts Fair, London (2018); Imago Mundi, Trieste, at Salone degli Incanti, Italy (2018) and Pangaea II: New Art from Africa and Latin America, Saatchi Gallery, London (2015). Abebe’s work is held in international private and public collections, including the Barjeel Art Foundation (UAE), the Rema Hort Mann Foundation (US), the Saatchi Collection (UK), the Frank Cohen Collection (UK), the Carole Server and Oliver Frankel Collection (US), The Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection (US), Ilham Collection (Malaysia), the Blanchard / Nesbitt Collection (UK) and the Easton Capital Collection (US).
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Gerald Chukwuma

Gerald Chukwuma (b. 1973) lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria. He graduated in 2003 with First Class Honours from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Chukwuma is one of Nigeria's fastest rising contemporary artists, noted for his intricately crafted sculptures on wood panels. The materials he chooses are common enough; however, using in his unique way a range of techniques — including burning, chiselling and painting — he captures a richly layered history that is imbedded with personal and political meaning. The use of traditional Uli and Nsibidi symbols links his work to the Nsukka art tradition which is credited with expanding and modernising the Igbo cultural aesthetic. Meanwhile, the transformation of found objects into highly detailed artworks roots him firmly in the contemporary moment, with its concern for rapid environmental and ecological change.
- Solo Exhibitions include Eclipse of the Scrolls, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (London Bridge), London (2021); IKWOKIRIKWO: THE DANCE OF SPIRITS, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin (2020); Wrinkles, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2019); Standing Ovation, Gallery 1957, Accra (2017); People’s Paradise, Temple Muse, Lagos (2016); Soaking Up Beauty, Constant Capital, Lagos (2014) and Highlife II, Ethnocentrique, Lagos (2013).
  
  Group exhibitions Travels with Herodotus - A Journey through African Cultures, Galleria Bianconi, Milano [2021]; ENTER FAIR ART with Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Copenhagen; Untitled art San Francisco with Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, San Francisco [2020]; include 1-54 London with Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (2019); Kubatana, curated by Kristin Hjellegjerde, Vesfossen Kunstlaboratorium, Norway (2019); A Journey into Contemporary African Art, Belvedere Art Space, Beirut, Lebanon (2010); Art X Lagos, Civic Center Lagos (2018); The Art Story, Cartool Art Gallery, UAE (2018); Essentials, Alexis Galleries, Lagos (2015); The Contemporaries, The Wheatbeaker, Lagos (2015); Today In History, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja (2015); Music Lesson, Alexis Gallery, Lagos (2012); Highlife I, Exhibition of Designs and Art, Ethnocentrique, Lagos (2011); Heden Daagse Afrikaanse Kunst, Amsterdam (2010); Pachakucha: Inspire Japan, Terra Kulture, Lagos (2009); Reclaiming Africa, Goethe-Institute, Lagos (2009); In Pursuit of Knowledge, Civic Centre, Lagos (2009); Africa Now, The World Bank, Washington, D.C (2009); Moderne Afrikansu Kunst, Danish Center for Culture and Development, Copenhagen (2009); Mouling Matter, Pan African University, Lagos (2008); and The Unbreakable Nigerian Spirit, Galarie 23, Amsterdam (2008).
- Highlights and Collections
  Chukwuma's work belongs to prominent collections such as of Beth Rudin de Woody, USA; The Hague, Netherland; Easton Capital/ John Friedman Collection; Pan African University Lagos; Seth Dei Foundation, Accra; University of Nigeria Nsukka; The World Bank Collection, Washington D.C; Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) Nigeria; Hearst Corporation and Museum Azman, Kuala Lumpur.
Tewodros Hagos

Tewodros Hagos (b. 1974, Addis Ababa), graduated from Addis Ababa University School of Fine Arts and Design in 1995. Today, Hagos is considered to be one of the most promising artists of his generation. His works have been exhibited in Ethiopia, Belgium, Germany, Italy and the US. Hagos’ work is often inspired by contemporary journalistic imagery as he explores the many layers of social injustice experienced by migrants. At home in Ethopia, his paintings are witness to the profound transformation and evolution of Ethopia.
- Solo exhibitions include an upcoming solo show at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin (2022), "THE DESPERATE JOURNEY II", Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2021); “THE DESPERATE JOURNEY”, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2020); LeLa gallery, Addis Ababa (2019); LeLa gallery, Addis Ababa (2017); Alliance Ethio-Francaise, Addis Ababa (2016); LeLa Gallery , Addis Ababa (2015); Alliance Ethio-Francaise, Dere Dawa (2014); Ethiopia cultural centre, Los Angeles (2013); Alliance Ethio-Francaise, Addis Ababa (2010); Gallery BEK, Leuven (2007); Gallery KN10, Antwerp (2004); kappelen cultural center, kappelen (2000); Studio am schloos, Berlin (1998); Futuro cultural center, Rome (1998).
  
  Group exhibitions include Facing the Sun, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Germany (2021);LeLa gallery Addis Ababa (2018); Lela art gallery, Addis abeba (2016); laphto art gallery Addis Ababa (2015); LeLa gallery, Addis Ababa (2014); Atelier Fine Art Gallery, Addis Ababa (2012); Studio am Scholes Berlin (2008); Biblotheek Permeke, Antwerp (2007); Biblotheek Durne, Antwerp (2005).
- Highlights and Collections
  In 2021 Hagos received the second prize award from the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture following his award in 2017 of the prestigious “Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters” from the Culture and Communication Minister of France. His works can be found in many public and private collections worldwide including the Farida et Henri Seydoux Collection (France); Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection (USA); Arthur Lewis Collection (USA); Easton Capital Collection (USA); Birchby Collection (USA) and the C.C.H. Pounder Collection (USA).
- Tewodros Hagos, Journey (50), 2021
Lincoln Mwangi

Lincoln Mwangi (b. 1996, Nairobi, Kenya) studied drawing and painting at the Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts, Nairobi, Kenya graduating in 2014. Currently, Mwangi is working as an artist for the Brush Tu Art Contemporary Artist Collective in Nairobi. Through the use of various mediums and techniques, Lincoln recalls encounters of daily reality, presenting these manifestations as figurative forms and portraits, exploring themes such as identity, death, choices, relationships, feelings and fear in his practice. Mwangi depicts his figures with wet cloth over the heads, suggesting struggle and uncertainty. Lincoln Mwangi has also exhibited widely in his native Kenya as well as internationally.
- Group Exhibitions include Facing the Sun, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Germany (2021); Objects, Space, Movement and Facades, Nairobi, Kenya (2019); Behind This Face, Gravitart Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya (2019); Aftermath of Aftermath, Brush Tu Art, Nairobi, Kenya (2019); A Glimpse of East Africa, Lagos, Nigeria (2019); “Africa And Other 54 Countries: Focus On Kenya”, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai (2018); Walking The Line, Createhub Gallery, Dubai (2018); Pyenga, Brush Tu Art, Nairobi, Kenya (2018); Art to End Slavery II, Kobo Trust, Nairobi, Kenya (2017); Aftermath and Aftermath, Kuona Trust Art Centre, Nairobi, Kenya (2017); Manjano Exhibition, GoDown Arts Centre, Nairobi, Kenya (2017).
  
  Highlights and Collections
  In 2017, Mwangi was the Finale Winner at the Manjano Exhibition in the student’s category.
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Rufai Zakari

Rufai Zakari (b.1990) is based between Accra and Bawku. He completed his apprenticeship under Mozzay, a senior artist in Nima, Accra. In 2011, Rufai Zakari graduated from the Ghanatta College of Art and Design. In his work, Zakari examines consumerism, environmental pollution, labour, trade, and the perils of industrialization in contemporary Ghanian Society. The founder of Rujab Eco-Art Foundation in his hometown of Bawku, Rufai Zakari bases his practise on the recycling of waste in the streets of Ghana. After decades of tribal conflict which took countless lives and left the city in ruins, Zakari is now looking to the future with optimism and a strong ambition to rebuild what has been lost, while inspiring hope in his community.
- Solo exhibitions include an upcoming show at Gallery T293, Rome (2022); upcoming show at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2021).
  
  Group exhibitions include More is More: Visual Richness in Contemporary Art, (Upcoming), Akron Art Museum, US; (2021); Devil’s in the Detail, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2020); This Exhibition is Untitled, Nubuke Foundation, Accra (2020); "CirculArt" Sustainable Art Exhibition by Eco Reward, Casa Trasacco Accra (2019); World Behind the Horizon Exhibition, Gess Gallery, Dusseldorf (2019); Sustainable Art Workshop, Merck Foundation, Dubai (2019); Sustainable Art Workshop, British High Commission, Accra (2018); Violence Against Women Exhibition. Alliance Francaise Accra (2018); "Yoomo Be Ga" Recycle Art Exhibition, Museum of Science and Technology, Accra (2017); Ghana Netherland Cultural Week Exhibition, Accra (2016); "African Champions" Mural in collaboration with (You Are For Africa), Lagos (2015).
- Highlights and Collections
  Rufai Zakari’s work is held in important private and public collections including Arthur Lewis Collection (US) Easton Capital/John Friedman Collection (US) Nubuke Foundation, (Ghana) The Beth Rudin Dewoody Collection (US) The Ditau Collection, (South Africa) Susan Goodman Collection; VG Collection.
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- Rufai Zakari, Untitled, 2021

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1-54 London : Dawit Abebe, Gerald Chukwuma, Tewodros Hagos, Lincoln Mwangi, Rufai Zakari

1-54

Dawit Abebe

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Gerald Chukwuma

Tewodros Hagos

Lincoln Mwangi

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Rufai Zakari

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