Destinee Ross-Sutton Curates Captivating Portraits by Black Artists for 1-54 NY Fair

Contemporary art wunderkind and dealer of her eponymous gallery, Destinee Ross-Sutton, is curating a dynamic selection of portraits by Nigerian artists as part of an exhibition for the upcoming 1-54 NY fair — an annual, international presentation dedicated to showcasing contemporary art from Africa. Ross-Sutton gained industry recognition for her activism-focused presentation for Christie’s last year called “SAY IT LOUD (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” which promoted the empowerment of Black art. Her curation for the upcoming edition features captivating portraits that celebrate the African diaspora.

Participating artists include Khari Turner who will have his first New York solo with the gallery this July, Nigerian artists Collins Obijiaku and Joshua Michael Adokuru, Johnson Eziefula who just had a sold out duo show at the gallery together with Adegboyega Adesina, Ghanaian Raphael Adjetey Adjei Mayne who will display a portrait of Michelle Obama and George Floyd, Lagos based artist Odinakachi Okoroafor as well as Ugandan Stacey Gillian Abe and Atlanta based Ari Dannielle who both explore the Female gaze in their respective studio practices.

When it comes to curating works, Destinee Ross-Sutton captures “a wide range of opinions, voices, and countless expressions of beauty is essential in a world where compassion and connection is needed now more than ever,” as per a press statement.

Check out select works in the slideshow above and then head to Ross-Sutton Gallery’s website for more information. The extended 1-54 presentation will take place starting May 4.

Elsewhere in art, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s In This Case painting is expected to snap up over $50 million USD in upcoming Christie’s Hong Kong auction.

Ross-Sutton Gallery
14 Wooster St.
New York, NY 10013