Gallery 1957

Gallery 1957 is a contemporary art gallery with spaces across Accra, Ghana and London, UK. It dedicates its programme to spearheading international exchanges between art practices from these communities and the rest of the world, presenting artists who interrogate concepts of belonging and identity, cultural exchange, and social history beyond Western narratives. Launched by Marwan Zakhem in 2016 on Ghanaian Independence Day, Gallery 1957 has since expanded across three gallery spaces in Accra. Originally set up to promote Ghana and West Africa’s presence in the arts scene, it now encompasses the Global South and its diaspora. Gallery 1957’s London space opened in October 2020, providing a further platform for artists to build dialogues with its growing network of international collaborators. Gallery 1957 presents exhibitions, installations, and performances by celebrated artists, fostering connections between local and international audiences. The Gallery’s global gallery partnerships and ongoing artist residency program have attracted numerous international artists and arts professionals to Ghana. The Gallery’s annual Cultural Week in September serves as a platform for encouraging deeper engagement with Ghana’s vibrant contemporary art scene. In 2021, Gallery 1957 launched the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize for female Ghanaian artists, the first ever dedicated art prize of its kind. The prize aims to further strengthen the gallery’s commitment to supporting and promoting emerging and established artists. Gallery 1957’s work expands beyond the gallery walls through a public programme that includes local and international art fairs, talks, off-site projects, and site-specific installations as well as the publication of books and catalogues – continuously supporting cultural initiatives in Ghana, Africa and beyond.