Frieze has come a long way since it was founded as an arts publication back in 1991. A decade on, the very first Frieze London opened doors in 2003, and satellite fairs in New York, Los Angeles and Seoul have since become tentpole moments within the cultural calendar. Returning to Regent's Park for its 21st edition, the upcoming Frieze London 2024 will boast one of its biggest iterations to date, with more than 160 galleries from 43 countries leading the way, from global heavyweights in Gagosian, Sprüth Magers and David Zwirner, to London's most influential spaces, including Victoria Miro, Maureen Paley and White Cube.
This year's fair will also showcase a new floor plan by design practice A Studio Between, increasing visibility to new voices at the entrance, as well adding greater prominence to the Frieze's curated sections, such as its dedicated Sculpture showcase, Artist-to-Artist and the latest themed section Smoke. "Visitors this year will find the fair reimagined, with solo presentations and emerging artists front and centre, in a demonstration of Frieze’s commitment to the most exciting art being made today," said Frieze London Director, Eva Langret, in a statement. "Our new layout also features more spots for conversation and exchange. These changes promise fresh experiences and new perspectives."
Curated by the Hammer Museum's Pablo José Ramírez, Smoke will focus on ceramic works by an international cast of artists exploring indigenous and diasporic histories. Frieze Masters, which presents art from antiquity till the modern period, will be back in full force, with a number of exciting offerings from 130 galleries from 26 countries, such as Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth and Afridi — with an added emphasis on ancient Asian art this year.
As with all mega fairs today, there will be a rolodex of exhibitions and events orbiting the fair throughout the week. Highlights include Francis Bacon: Human Presence at the National Portrait Gallery, Mire Lee reconfiguring Tate Modern's Turbine Hall, Hew Locke at the British Museum and Lauren Halsey's UK solo exhibition debut at Serpentine Galleries.
Frieze London will take place from October 9 to 13. Check out our guide to some of the biggest events and booths during the week. For more information, please visit the fair's website for tickets and a full list of its 2024 programming.
Gagosian Presents Sculptures by John Chamberlain and Furniture by Marc Newson
For this year's Frieze Masters, Gagosian tapped the expertise of Swiss conceptual artist Urs Fischer, who curated a presentation of sculptures by John Chamberlain and furniture by Australian designer Marc Newson. Chamberlain conflated tenets of Abstract Expressionism, Pop art and Minimalism, with the theatrical folds of the High Baroque period, to create evocatively smashed together sculptures made of car metal, highlighting the tensions between creation and destruction.
On view will be his COLONELGARGLE (2008), ENTIRELYFEARLESS (2009), and STUFFEDWITHSURPRISE (2011) sculptures, contrasted by Newson's Lockheed Lounge, Random Pak Chair (2006), Low Voronoi Shelf (2008), and Charcoal Glass Chair (2017) — each made within the same 10-year span and presenting a dialogue within the visual language of industry and everyday funtionality.
Bobbi Essers at Unit London
Dutch artist Bobbi Essers will present her first UK solo exhibition at Unit London. The World at Our Command presents a suite of new paintings that emphasize the importance of intimacy in plutonic relationships. Essers begins her portraits by referencing photographs to create fragmented compositions that probe into the complexities of love and the fleeting nature of memory. "Fractured, but not disjointed," writes Unit, "her protagonists morph into another as if part of one body, treading a dreamlike line between the figurative and the surreal."
The exhibition will be on view at Unit London in Hanover Square until December 8, 2024.
Unit London
3 Hanover Square,
London W1S 1HD
Mike Kelley and Mire Lee at Tate Modern
Every Frieze Week presents a fresh slate for a new monumental installation at the Tate Modern's iconic Turbine Hall. Following El Anatsui's bottle cap assemblage, Korean artist Mire Lee will populate her eerie kinetic sculptures in-and-around the entrance to the museum. The Seoul-based artist is globally recognized for mixing steel, silicone, grease and liquids, resulting in artworks that pulsate and ooze — mirroring the process of life and decay.
Tate will also be showcasing a comprehensive survey on Mike Kelley. The exhibition will span the American artist's entire career, including his Kandor and More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid series. Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit is on view until March 9, 2025.
Tate Modern
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Perrotin, C10
Courtesy of the artist and Perrotin.
Perrotin recently announced that it would be expanding across the channel to open a permanent location in London. Opening in 2025, the forthcoming outpost will occupy a refurbished space in Claridge’s, the 19th century Art Deco hotel visited by an array of royal figures and celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth II and Audrey Hepburn.
As a mainstay within Frieze' global list of fairs, Perrotin will present a group showcase of prominent and emerging talent, including the late Park Seo-bo, Jean-Michel Othoniel, Elizabeth Glaessner, Laurent Grasso, Takashi Murakami, Mathilde Denize, Aya Takano, Gregor Hildebrandt and JR, amongst others. On the latter, the French artist will also be signing his new Phaidon book at Shreeji in Marylebone on Wednesday, October 9.
Lauren Halsey at Serpentine Galleries
Courtesy of the artist and Serpentine Gallery.
Lauren Halsey is bringing a slice of South Central to the British capital. Known for her Afro-Futurist paintings and installations, the LA-native recently unveiled plans to build a sculpture park in her hometown and will be presenting her first institutional exhibition in the UK through Serpentine Galleries.
emajendat will transform Serpentine's South Gallery into a "Funk Garden", mapped out by Halsey's intricate sculptures atop a prismatic floor complemented by walls made from CDs. The artist will also be showcasing her first moving image work alongside sand dunes and bespoke wallpaper.
Serpentine Gallery
London W2 3XA
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