The Art Capital Continues to Deliver: Frieze London Opens Today
By Mary Whitlock
For decades London has been considered the capital of the art world. But in recent years this has been challenged, with claims that Paris is quickly overtaking it for the top spot. It is said that Brexit complications for sellers and galleries moving overseas has made it harder for the English capital. However, today’s opening of Frieze London and Masters is sure to help bolster its position.
This year’s edition of the prestigious art fair marks the 20th anniversary since its foundation by Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover. Running from 11th to 15th October, the event starts with an invitation-only preview on the first day, followed by VIP hours in the morning of Thursday, before it is then open for general admission until Sunday.
With all Early Bird tickets sold out and combined tickets for both fairs now ranging from £90 to £245 (along with £32 tickets for students and children) the fair is not cheap. Frieze acknowledges this and has an application system for complimentary access for non-profits, charities and universities.
Unlike other international art fairs, here the location is right in the heart of the host city, The Regent’s Park, reflecting Frieze’s pivotal importance in the UK arts and culture scene. There is also a huge focus on representing international art and artists, becoming the fair’s “most international edition to date”. It is in London where art and ideas from all over the world can inspire and delight so many.
The event is made up of the Frieze London (mainly showcasing works made post the year 2000) and Frieze Masters (presenting works from before 2000), with Frieze Sculpture providing an outside space connecting the two. Alongside this there is a full programme of events, announced in August 2023, that involves a number of collaborations with major UK art organisations.
One initiative that is unique to this year is Artist-to-Artist. Eight emerging artists have been nominated by world-renowned established ones, including Tracey Emin, Wolfgang Tillman and Olafur Eliason – all well known for their support of others.
Jamaican artist Deborah Anzinger is one of those selected. The fair will showcase some of her latest works made using pigments ground from local cookshop charcoal. Providing a commentary on “the different economies, both local and aesthetic, attached to this fuel.”
Prizes and awards are also an important element of the Frieze fair. The Frieze Artist Award in partnership with Forna gives one artist the opportunity to showcase a new commission at a formative moment in their career. This year’s winner is Adham Faramawy with a new commission ‘And these deceitful waters’. This is a video and sculptural assemblage that critically examines the history of the Thames.
The director of Frieze London, Eva Langret, says “the award reflects Frieze London’s ongoing commitment to championing new voices, a tenet that is woven into the fair’s programming”. With more than 160 galleries participating, Frieze promotes and supports emerging as well as established artists, demonstrating UK talent as well as the huge depth and breadth of international art celebrated in London. Capital of the art world? If Frieze is anything to go by, I think so.
Frieze London, Source: Artsper Magazine
Bibliography
Artsper Magazine, “Frieze London: The Success Story’’ Accessed 10 October 2023. https://blog.artsper.com/en/a-closer-look/frieze-london-the-success-story/
Frieze, “’Artist-to-Artist’ Celebrates Creative Community at Frieze London 2023”, 12 July 2023. Accessed 10 October 2023. https://www.frieze.com/article/artist-artist-celebrates-creative-community-frieze-london-2023#:~:text=Artist%2Dto%2DArtist%20will%20feature,proposed%20by%20Alvaro%20Barrington%20(Praxis
Frieze, “Frieze Preview ‘And these deceitful waters’ by Frieze London Artist Award Winner Adham Faramawy”, 26 September 2023. Accessed 10 October 2023. https://www.frieze.com/video/first-preview-and-these-deceitful-waters-frieze-london-artist-award-winner-adham-faramawy
Frieze, “Full Programme Announced for Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2023”, 2 August 2023. Accessed 10 October 2023. https://www.frieze.com/video/full-programme-announced-frieze-london-and-frieze-masters-2023
The Art Newspaper, “Mind the (shrinking) gap: Paris gains on leading London”, 6 October 2023. Accessed 10 October 2023. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/10/06/paris-art-market-gaining-on-london-brexit-frieze-art-basel
The Art Newspaper, “Frieze turns 20: London fair teams up with star artists from Tracey Emin to Alvaro Barrington for 20th anniversary edition”, 22 June 2023. Accessed 10 October 2023. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/06/22/frieze-london-turns-20-and-announces-anniversary-plans