Opening of a new space dedicated to African arts in Paris At the beginning of November, a new space dedicated to African arts will open in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés in Paris.

At the beginning of November, a new space dedicated to African arts will open in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés in Paris. Initiated by Charles-Wesley Hourdé, an expert in the ancient arts of Africa, Oceania and America, this ambitious project aims to establish this new place as an essential reference in the field of African arts and will bring together a pole of specialized skills, both in ancient African arts and in the contemporary scenes of the continent.

Copyright Nicolas Brasseur

Three entities united for the promotion of African arts in Paris

In the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés in Paris, this new space will bring together three entities with skills as diverse as they are complementary, which will operate in synergy. Two galleries will occupy the premises permanently: the Charles-Wesley Hourdé gallery, specializing in ancient African art, and the 31 PROJECT gallery, dedicated to the contemporary African and diaspora scenes. The place will also host the offices of the consulting firm H+R Art Consult, specialized in the field of African ancient arts.

A vast 200m² space under a glass roof and overlooking the courtyard

The renovation of this new space, located at 41 rue de Seine in Paris, was entrusted to the NeM agency, which designed the Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection and the Pernod Ricard Foundation, in collaboration with architect Jean-Baptiste Astruc. Consisting of a large rectangular plateau with a total surface area of 200m², the project has been enhanced by an in-depth renovation and by arrangements that allow for considerable modularity.

A pre-opening on the occasion of Parcours des Mondes

Prior to its official opening in November, the space will open its doors from September 6 to 11, 2022 in a very special way for the Parcours des Mondes. On this occasion will showcased a group of important African sculptures selected by Charles-Wesley Hourdé, including a rare Ijaw commemorative panel (Nigeria) and a remarkable Kuyu statue (Democratic Republic of Congo) previously exhibited at the Fondation Dapper in 1994.

A major inaugural exhibition from November to the end of December

To celebrate this opening, the 31 PROJECT gallery will present a major group show, bringing together all the artists of the gallery. Will notably be displayed textile works by Georgina Maxim, paintings by Zimbabwean painter Epheas Maposa and South African Mawande Ka Zenzile, drawings and relief works by Nigerian artist Kelani Abass and photographs by Charlotte Yonga. Will aldo be presented for the first time works by Katharien de Villers, a visual artist based in Cape Town.