Panel Talk: Contemporary African Art in London from the 1990s to Now

Panellists: Elisabeth Lalouschek, Simon Njami, Hannah O’Leary and Keith Shiri As part of our current season of Contemporary African Art, October Gallery is pleased to present a panel discussion with speakers: Elisabeth Lalouschek, Simon Njami, Hannah O’Leary and Keith Shiri. The discussion will explore the trajectory of Contemporary African Art in London from the 1990s to the present day, reflecting on the evolving discourse, the artists and cultural figures who have shaped it, and its continuing impact today. The gallery will have extended opening hours until 7 pm, with last orders at the bar at 6.30 pm, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the exhibition Romuald Hazoumè: My Blue Period and continue the conversation after the talk. The event will take place upstairs in the Theatre, where seating is limited. For those unable to attend in person, you can register for the livestream here: https://livestream_panel_talk_octobergallery_26.eventbrite.co.uk The livestream will also be shown in the Refectory on the ground floor, with seating available for those who cannot join the panel upstairs but would still like to watch the discussion and stay for drinks and conversation afterwards. Livestream registration is free, but registration is required for both online viewers and those wishing to watch from the Refectory, so that we can manage capacity. About the speakers Elisabeth Lalouschek is the Artistic Director of October Gallery, where she has worked since 1987. She has played a vital role in shaping the gallery’s programme and international profile, championing artists and contemporary art from across the world, and has curated the majority of its exhibitions. Her work has also been instrumental in promoting artists internationally, with a particular focus on Contemporary African Art. Simon Njami is a Paris-based independent curator, lecturer, art critic and novelist. He co-founded and served as editor-in-chief of Revue Noire, a journal dedicated to contemporary African and extra-occidental art. He has curated major international exhibitions including Africa Remix, The Divine Comedy and Afriques Capitales, and has served as artistic director of the Bamako Photography Biennale and Dak’art Biennale. In 2007, he co-curated the first African Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Hannah O’Leary is an international authority on Modern and Contemporary African Art. During her two-decade career at Sotheby’s and Bonhams, she pioneered dedicated international auctions in the field and achieved over 200 world-record prices for artists from across the continent and diaspora. Now an independent consultant, she advises collectors, estates and institutions on acquisitions, valuations, museum loans and collection strategy. She is also a Trustee of the Norval Foundation and a Council Member of the Royal African Society. Keith Shiri is an international curator, film programmer and consultant specialising in African cinema. He began programming African art and film at the Africa Centre in Covent Garden in 1986 and has since worked with major festivals and cultural institutions including the BFI London Film Festival, Venice, Toronto International Film Festival and FESPACO. He is Senior Curator of Film Africa, the Royal African Society’s annual festival of African cinema in London, and an international programmer for the Red Sea Film Festival. __________________________________________________________________ Please note: there is no disabled access to the Theatre Room. For any questions/enquiries please contact [email protected] The event is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Images: Elisabeth Lalouschek (photo by Jonathan Greet), Simon Njami (photo by Oliver Abraham), Keith Shiri and Hannah O’Leary.