At the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Somerset House this weekend gone, Oli met with Le Tings founder and visual storyteller Harris Elliot OBE who was there to present 'Le Salon,' a dynamic project of African art, culture, and community. Reflecting on the fair’s prominence, Spencer remarked, "It's a really popular event that I could say runs alongside Frieze, but I'm going to say Frieze runs alongside it!" Partnered with hairstylist Johnnie Sapong, Elliot crafted a live barbershop installation as a special feature of the fair, celebrating the cultural significance of black barbershops in London. “It's a playful and visual celebration of Africa and its diaspora cultures through the lens of street markets and visual ephemera.”
Elliot shared the vision behind the project: "We created an installation piece called Le Salon... a live barbershop experience as part of 1-54. Drawing inspiration from West African hand-painted barbershop signs, the installation showcased customised Oliver Spencer jackets by artist Andrew Ibi, alongside works by Ghanaian artists like Studio Amponsah, Kione Grandison, and Aisha Seriki. The rationale around the art is that it fits into a long canon of West African hand-painted barbershops," Elliot explained, with the theme of "the art of conversation" centred around the barber’s chair.
The installation was a vibrant hub where visitors could get styled, engage in conversation, and soak in the community atmosphere, complete with DJ sets. As Spencer noted, "People could pop in, have their hair done, or be styled, be in conversation. And there was just a general vibe." All artwork was available for purchase, blending high-level art with the communal spirit of the barbershop. Watch the full video here to revisit Oli and Elliot’s reflections on this unforgettable celebration.
