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It’s that time of year when Frieze transforms London into a city-wide art hub with Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2024. Taking place in The Regent’s Park from 9 – 13 October 2024, the fairs will feature over 290 galleries from 43 countries.
Frieze London introduces a bold new design by A Studio Between, with a reconfigured floorplan that enhances the visibility of its curated sections. In parallel, Frieze Masters adopts a refreshed curatorial direction under the leadership of Sheena Wagstaff, featuring an expanded Studio section that encourages visitors to explore connections between art from different eras.
A highlight of Frieze Masters is the inclusion of prominent Turkish artist Nil Yalter in the Spotlight exhibition, curated by Valerie Cassel Oliver. This exhibition showcases a thought-provoking selection of works by artists from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Frieze London and Frieze Masters are key parts of the larger and more ambitious Frieze Week, during which London’s cultural institutions—both established and emerging, public and private—present a series of major exhibitions alongside the fairs, further enriching the city’s vibrant artistic landscape.
East End Day and West End Night, Frieze Week’s signature events, will be back in 2024. On Sunday 6 October in the East End and Thursday 10 October in the West End, galleries and non-profit organisations will open their doors to the Frieze audience, hosting special events and private viewings.
Another important event within the week is undoubtedly Frieze Sculpture, curated by Fatoş Üstek, which Art50.net covered here, see the full text for details.
Frieze London 2024
Frieze London 2024 is set to captivate visitors with its reimagined format, emphasising solo presentations and emerging artists at the forefront of contemporary art. Eva Langret, Director of Frieze London, states that this year’s fair will showcase more than 160 galleries from 43 countries, including some of London’s defining spaces such as Arcadia Missa, Carlos/Ishikawa, Sadie Coles HQ, Thomas Dane Gallery, and White Cube. Additionally, leading international galleries like Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, and David Zwirner will be in attendance. The fair will also feature the highly anticipated Artist-to-Artist program, which returns as a cornerstone of the artist-driven initiative, showcasing six solo presentations selected by renowned artists like Hurvin Anderson and Yinka Shonibare. A new themed section titled Smoke, organised by Pablo José Ramírez, will explore ceramic works that highlight diasporic and indigenous histories, emphasising ceramics as a significant aesthetic form in contemporary art. Furthermore, the Focus section will spotlight young galleries, supported by Stone Island, while the Editions section will offer limited-edition artworks, making collecting more accessible to new audiences. This year’s changes promise fresh experiences and new perspectives, encouraging conversation and exchange among visitors.
Artist-to-Artist
This year, the acclaimed curated section Artist-to-Artist returns to Frieze London as a highlight of the fair’s artist-driven program, following its successful debut in 2023. Featuring six solo presentations, each artist is selected by a renowned figure known for supporting emerging voices, emphasising the section’s commitment to fostering connections within Frieze’s global network. This year’s lineup includes Appau Jnr Boakye-Yiadom, chosen by Glenn Ligon; Rob Davis, selected by Rashid Johnson; Nengi Omuku, nominated by Yinka Shonibare; Massinissa Selmani, picked by Zineb Sedira; Magda Stawarska, selected by Lubaina Himid; and Peter Uka, chosen by Hurvin Anderson.
Focus
The Focus section continues to serve as an incubator for rising talent, featuring 37 emerging artists from 20 countries. Supported by Stone Island, Focus provides young galleries with the opportunity to showcase groundbreaking work. This year’s highlights include artists such as Eva Gold, Tania Ximena, Benedikte Bjerre, and Fuentesal Arenillas. Dedicated to presenting solo and dual-artist exhibitions by galleries established in or after 2012, Focus emphasises the importance of emerging artists within thoughtfully curated frameworks. Frieze’s enduring commitment to nurturing young galleries is further enhanced this year by the guidance of advisors Joumana Asseily, Piotr Drewko, and Cédric Fauq.
Smoke
Titled Smoke, the themed section at Frieze London 2024 delves into the transformative relationship between ceramics and non-Western histories. Curated by Pablo José Ramírez, the section brings together international artists who use clay in innovative ways to highlight ceramics as a powerful and enduring tradition in contemporary art, extending beyond Western art history into pre-colonial narratives. Featured artists include Ayla Tavares, Lucía Pizzani; Manuel Chavajay, Adán Vallecillo, Yeni Mao, Yuri Yuan, Karla Ekaterine Canseco, Roksana Pirouzmand, Christine Howard Sandoval, Linda Vallejo, and Noé Martinez
Editions
Editions, launched in 2021, has become a gateway for new audiences to enter the art collecting world, providing the chance to acquire works from distinguished international artists at accessible prices. As it returns for its fourth year at Frieze London, Editions brings together esteemed publishers and galleries to showcase limited editions by some of the most celebrated contemporary artists of our time.
Frieze London Artist Award 2024
The recipient of the Frieze London Artist Award 2024, Lawrence Lek’s commission is available now online for art enthusiasts to view. “Guanyin: Confessions of a Former Carebot” is a multimedia installation that follows a cyborg therapist striving to save fellow AIs from existential despair. You can explore this thought-provoking work online [here](insert link). Selected by a distinguished jury including Eva Langret, Canan Batur, and Mariam Zulfiqar, Lek’s piece offers a compelling examination of the relationship between technology and emotion.
Frieze Masters 2024
Frieze Masters returns from 9 – 13 October 2024, showcasing an impressive lineup of 130 galleries from 26 countries. Under the insightful curation of Sheena Wagstaff, the fair beautifully intertwines historical narratives with contemporary expressions, inviting visitors to explore the profound impact of the past on today’s artistic landscape.
The Studio —also curated by Wagstaff—offers a deep dive into the creative process, illuminating how artists harness historical influences to spark innovation. This year’s diverse roster includes luminaries such as Beatrice Caracciolo, Isabella Ducrot, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Shirazeh Houshiary, Kim Yun Shin, Mernet Larsen, Thaddeus Mosley, Doris Salcedo, Nilima Sheikh, and Adriana Varejão. Each artist will present a blend of new works alongside earlier pieces, complemented by personal artefacts and items from their studios, crafting a rich dialogue between their past and present.
Spotlight
Curated by Valerie Cassel Oliver, the Spotlight section shines a light on the contributions of underrepresented 20th-century artists, offering solo presentations that highlight their often-overlooked works. This year, the section features renowned figures such as Judy Chicago, Kulim Kim, and Donald Locke. Notably, AB-ANBAR Gallery will present a compelling solo exhibition of Nil Yalter, the esteemed Turkish-French artist who recently received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale. This showcase will centre around two significant paintings from the 1960s and a mixed-media installation from the 1970s, highlighting Yalter’s enduring impact on contemporary art.
If you can’t attend Frieze London or Frieze Masters in person, you can still engage with the fairs virtually. Visit the Frieze Viewing Room from 2 – 18 October to explore gallery presentations and discover artworks by leading contemporary artists through free of charge membership. For more information and to stay updated on the latest happenings, you can visit the official Frieze website and follow their social media channels. This way, you won’t miss out on the vibrant art showcased at the fairs!
Art50net’s Picks: Must-See Events during Frieze Week in London
As Frieze Week unfolds in London, a variety of outstanding exhibitions at renowned institutions and galleries await art enthusiasts. Art50 has curated a selection of 12 must-see shows to explore during this vibrant week. Here’s the list, in no particular order:
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Somerset House: The 12th edition returns to London’s Somerset House from 12-15 October 2024, showcasing over 160 artists across 60+ exhibitors, highlighting the dynamic works of artists from the continent and the global African diaspora.
- PAD London at Mayfair: The 16th edition of PAD London, the premier design fair in the UK, features a curated selection of modern and contemporary design from 62 leading galleries. On view from 8 to 13 October 2024 at Berkeley Square, Mayfair.
- Zanele Muholi at Tate Modern: A comprehensive exhibition consisting of more than 300 photographs documenting Black LGBTQIA+ lives in South Africa by Zanele Muholi, one of the world’s leading photographers who defines herself as a visual activist. The exhibition, which includes new production photographs and sculptures in addition to photographs from the artist’s 2020-21 exhibition at Tate Modern can be viewed until January 26, 2025.
- Marina Abramović: Healing Frequency at Moco Museum London: In this exhibition, Marina Abramović presents twelve transformative works that explore the intersection of art, spirituality, and human consciousness. Through the use of “transitory objects,” she invites viewers to experience profound emotional and mental shifts. On view from 11 September 2024 to 11 March 2025.
- Turner Prize 2024 at Tate Britain: The four shortlisted artists—Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur, and Delaine Le Bas—will display their eclectic works. The winner will be announced on 3 December 2024, continuing the tradition of celebrating outstanding British art since 1984. On view until 16 February.
- Francis Bacon: ‘Human Presence’ at National Portrait Gallery: This major exhibition delves into the haunting and powerful portraits of Francis Bacon, featuring 55 works that explore his complex relationships and emotional depth. Bacon’s art transcends mere representation, offering profound insights into the human condition. On view from 14 October 2024.
- Tracey Emin: ‘I Followed You to the End’ at White Cube Bermondsey: Tracey Emin returns to White Cube Bermondsey with new paintings and sculptures that navigate the themes of love, loss, mortality, and rebirth, drawing from her recent transformative experiences to explore life’s profound moments. On view until 10 November 2024.
- Claude Monet: The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition: Monet and London. Views of the Thames at The Courtauld Gallery: A unique opportunity to see Monet’s paintings of the Thames, as originally intended for his public in Paris and London. On view from 27 September 2024 to 19 January 2025.
- Marlene Dumas: Mourning Marsyas at Frith Street Gallery: Emotive paintings capturing grief and displacement, blending swift gestures with reflective pauses. On view until 16 November 2024.
- Yayoi Kusama: EVERY DAY I PRAY FOR LOVE at Victoria Miro: This exhibition offers a rare chance to experience the Infinity Mirrored Room – Beauty Described by a Spherical Heart, along with new paintings and sculptures displayed throughout the gallery and waterside garden. Although tickets are fully booked, a limited number of free tickets are released weekly until the exhibition closes on 2 November 2024. Art lovers should keep an eye out for availability. However, Kusama fans can always visit her permanent public sculpture Infinite Accumulation at Liverpool Street Station. This polished stainless steel work, featuring spheres linked by curving lines, symbolizes urban individuality and is freely accessible year-round.
- Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers at The National Gallery: Celebrating the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary, this exhibition presents iconic works from Van Gogh’s final years, including The Yellow House and The Bedroom. On view until 19 January 2025.
- Mike Kelley: ‘Ghost and Spirit’ at Tate Modern: This retrospective honours Mike Kelley, showcasing influential works like The Poltergeist and Extracurricular Activity Projective Reconstructions, which explore themes of absence and emotional aftermath. On view from 3 October 2024 to 9 March 2025.
Cover Image: James Cohan, Frieze London 2024, Photo: Linda Nylind.
Text: Ezgi Ceren Kayırıcı