What To Expect At Frieze London 2024

There is a chill wind blowing in the art world, even though we mortals have been informed that the current UK economic crisis is ‘on the mend’. And while the more affluent arm of the industry is rarely affected by such realities, it will be interesting to see what transpires at this edition of the art fair Frieze London.

Meanwhile, there’s Frieze Sculpture, an outdoor affair, and Frieze Masters, a mere few minutes walk away, both running parallel with the main event, and the latter presenting artwork executed before 2000 and whose embers burn brighter with more refined fuel. If you want to see if any fiery art was worth worshipping or left us cold, watch this space next week. But for now, what is it all about?

Frieze Art Fair in Regents Park, London. Photo by Linda Nylind for Frieze. 17/10/2021.

What Is Frieze London?

Frieze London is an annual contemporary art fair held in London’s Regent’s Park. The first fair was held in 2003, developed by the founders of Frieze magazine, and today it houses some of the world’s greatest contemporary galleries, each showcasing their best artists in the hope of enticing the biggest collectors.

The Fair is a temporary tented entity that takes shape annually in the form of a humongous marquee. It’s a circus of an affair with plenty of art performers, curators and dealers as ring-masters, with a motley crew of visitors (myself included) as an audience, all attempting to enjoy the crazy spectacle while dressed in their best.

Over the years, the fair has become a beast of such enormity and is hugely anticipated by many in the art world. Many local and central London art galleries and spaces take the opportunity to host parties, chat art-speak and embrace the art entourage that descends upon the capital. Particularly, those with plenty of capital of their own. But it’s not just for art professionals. Whether you want to make an acquisition from a legacy artist such as Tracey Emin or find a wacky work of art, give Frieze a go.

Leonora Carrington, The Dancer (El Bailarín), 2011, rossogranada. Frieze Sculpture 2024. (Linda Nylind/Frieze)

What’s On In 2024?

This year, both Frieze London and Frieze Masters will benefit from a new artist-led approach, with an emphasis on innovation and discovery, as well as upon the Curatorial. More than 270 of the world’s leading galleries will participate across the two fairs.

As the official champagne of Frieze, Ruinart invites visitors to explore its ‘Conversations with Nature’ exhibition at the Ruinart Art Bar (10–13 October). This year’s Carte Blanche takes on a new format, bringing to life a form of art that is committed to nature and driven by a multitude of talents, and the exhibition will showcase the work of both Marcus Coates and Henrique Oliveira, best enjoyed with a glass of R de Ruinart, Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Ruinart Rosé.

Frieze London will see the return of celebrated initiative artist-to-presentations selected by Hurvin Anderson, Lubaina Himid, Rashid Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Zineb Sedira and Yinka Shonibare. Meanwhile, the new themed section, ‘Smoke’, is conjuring an ‘Aladdin and the Lamp’ curiosity around it; certainly one to watch out for. Curated by Pablo José Ramírez, the area will feature artists including Karla Ekaterine Canseco, Manuel Chavajay, Yeni Mao, Noé Martínez, Roksana Pirouzmand, Lucía Pizzani, Christine Howard Sandoval, Ayla Tavares, Linda Vallejo and Yuri Yuan.

Don’t miss Breguet’s partnership with London-based curated Jenn Ellis, who will be celebrating the work of Australian indigenous artist Naminapu Maymuru-White. Naminapu was one of the first women to be taught a delicate technique called miny’tji, which has a long tradition in Manggalili clan culture and involves painting and carving with a small pointed stylus, primarily in black and white. Naminapu’s innovative interpretations of her clan’s ‘songlines’ – used to tell of sacred stories of creation, place and histories connecting the earth and the cosmos – embody the timeless nature of craftmanship for Jenn, inspiring conversations about how cultures mark time and share knowledge.

At Frieze Masters, a newly expanded Studio section curated by Sheena Wagstaff will feature artists including Beatrice Caracciolo, Isabella Ducrot, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Shirazeh Houshiary, Kim Yun Shin, Mernet Larsen, Thaddeus Mosley, Doris Salcedo, Nilima Sheikh and Adriana Varejão.

The Frieze Masters Talks series, while not new, is well worth a visit, too. Presented in partnership with British luxury menswear house dunhill, expect an elevated perspective on the defining works of art history, connecting voices from various industries and communities to explore and cast light on everything from collectible objects across the ages to icons of the 20th century. Talks will run daily throughout the Fair in the elevated dunhill lounge.

Baya Mahieddine (1931-1998)
Au bord de la riviere, 1966
Gouache on paper, 100 x 150 cm
Courtesy of Elmarsa Gallery (Frieze Masters)

When Is Frieze London 2024?

This year, Frieze will take place from 9–13 October 2024 in Regent’s Park.

How To Get Tickets

Tickets decline in price as the fair goes on, starting from £145 on Thursday and £75 on Friday (both preview days), and settling at £46pp on Saturday and Sunday. Students and children can visit for £32pp on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets should be booked online at frieze.com