African art in London this week

The Southern African International Art Revolution hits the art season with a vengeance this week

​Tyburn Gallery
Where: 26 Barrett Street, London, W1U 1BG (Closest Tube Bond St)
Exhibition: Broken English Group Show
Closing Date: Oct 28
Why you’re going to see it: Tyburn is new, SA-owned & there’s good work here from credible young artists
Tyrburn’s first show curated by Kim Stern features work from Southern African artists: Bridget Baker, Mohau Modisakeng, Athi-Patra Ruga, Dan Halter, Michele Mathison, Rowan Smith, Moffat Takadiwa. The work is a combination of photography, painting, sculpture and tapestry. The show is essentially a visual conversation about citizenship and identity in an increasingly globalised world. Website: www.tyburngallery.com

1:54
Where: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Exhibition: 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Dates: Oct 15-18
Why you’re going to see it: It’s some of the best art from your home continent, need another reason?
1:54 references the fifty-four countries of Africa and reflects the fair’s mission: on an international stage to present a platform which represents the multiplicity and diversity of contemporary African art and cultural production. SA galleries present: Afronova, Johannesburg, CIRCA Gallery, Johannesburg, GALLERY AOP, Johannesburg Jack Bell Gallery, London. (SA Owned) Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town. Special project: Qubeka Bead Studio, Cape Town. 
This is a treat it’s a simple as that. Website: www.1-54.com/london/

SA artists at Affordable Art Fair
Where: Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ
Exhibition: Affordable Art Fair
Dates: Oct 22-25 
Why you’re going to see it: Apart from being a fun night out, you might even buy some art
Two sisters, Johannesburg based Gill Glyn-Jones and London based Veda Hallowes are showing their sculpture at the Affordable Art Fair next week in Battersea Park on Stand D2. Gill works in pure silver sheet, set on semi-precious stone bases, with Evolution as her theme, and Veda works in bronze using fruits as a metaphor for the female figure. Website:  www.kaleidoscope-arts.co.uk
Other hot tickets: 

Frieze Art Fair: 14 - 17 October 2015, Regent’s Park, London, UK
Summary: The most mind-blowing art event in the London Calendar, over the 300 galleries, 1000s of artworks. Purportedly the best of the best contemporary art; make a day of it and you decide. 

Bonhams Africa Now – Contemporary Africa Auction: 15 Oct, Starts at 14:00  101 New Bond Street, London W1S 1SR.
Summary: If you have never attended an Auction, this is a good one, African contemporary art under the hammer.