TOURIA EL GLAOUI
TOURIA EL GLAOUI'S
LEADING CULTURE DESTINATIONS:
Touria El Glaoui is the Founding Director of 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, a leading transnational platform for artists, galleries, curators, independent art centres and institutions dedicated to promoting African and Africa related art practices and projects. Selected exhibitors hail from global territories including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, France, Italy, Germany, UK and USA. Established in 2013, 1:54 takes place annually in October at Somerset House in London. She has initiated and co-curated several exhibitions with her father, the Moroccan artist Hassan El Glaoui, including Meetings in Marrakech: Paintings of Hassan El Glaoui and Winston Churchill at Leighton House in London.
If there was one piece of art you could feature in, which one would it be and why?
I'd like to have my portrait taken by the wonderful Malian photographer Malick Sidibé, who is one of my favourite photographers. He still works today, but on a much smaller scale, from his home studio in Bamako.
Who inspires you and why? An artist, a family member, someone current or historical?
The artist Not Vital for his nomadic mode of working. He works across Niger, Patagonia, China and Switzerland, among other locations, often engaging with local communities to construct unique and thoughtful communal buildings and studios.
What are your cultural aspirations? What do you still want to see, do and achieve?
I want to continue to strive for cultural, ethic and gender diversity in the visual arts. I WANT TO see more artists working and living in Africa having sustained artistic and cultural practices and being able to operate on an international basis.
What are your favourite cultural cities in the world?
London is my current home; it has a great feeling and supports the ecology of its dynamic, and possibly unrivalled art scene. New York is totally exuberant and has some of my favourite museums and galleries, too.
What are you up to at the moment ?
I'm developing ANOTHER EDITION OF THE Contemporary African Art fair, It’s very exciting. We’re working hard to produce something exceptional!