Frieze London & Masters 2024
Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2024 promise an exciting and innovative art fair experience in Regent’s Park in the UK’s capital from October 9 to 13, 2024. Now, in this year’s edition, Frieze London remains one of the key events for contemporary art. Since its founding in 2003, the fair has become a global hub for galleries, collectors, and emerging artists. The equally awaited Frieze Masters, launched in 2012, continues to explore ancient and modern art, bridging the gap between past and present.
The list of exhibitors features over 160 participants, including leading galleries like Sadie Coles HQ, White Cube, Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Pace Gallery, Perrotin, Tina Kim Gallery, Almine Rech, Thaddaeus Ropac, Sprüth Magers, and David Zwirner.
This year introduces several new features, including layouts: Frieze London has undergone a complete redesign, with a new tent structure that allows more natural light, enhancing the visitor experience. This bold new design is part of a broader effort to focus on artists, discovery, and innovation.
One of the top highlights is a curated section titled "Smoke", which explores diasporic and indigenous histories through ceramic works, curated by Pablo José Ramírez (Curator at Hammer Museum, Los Angeles). It brings attention to global pre-colonial traditions and their relevance in contemporary art.
The Focus section shines a spotlight on emerging galleries, fostering a space for younger talent in London's vibrant art scene. The Artist-to-Artist project also returns, pairing six internationally renowned artists with emerging talent. This year's mentors include Lubaina Himid, Rashid Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Zineb Sedira, and Yinka Shonibare.
For art history enthusiasts, the Spotlight section remains a must-visit, focusing on artists active between the 1950s and 1970s, featuring names like Judy Chicago, Nabil Nahas, Balraj Khanna, Donald Locke, and Nil Yalter. In the Studio section, curated by Sheena Wagstaff, visitors can see artists at work, including Isabella Ducrot, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Shirazeh Houshiary, and Doris Salcedo.
With over 130 galleries, Frieze Masters offers a unique perspective on art history, juxtaposing ancient artifacts with contemporary masterpieces. This year sees a refined layout and the inclusion of prominent galleries specializing in ancient Asian art, further enriching the fair’s offerings.
“This year’s Frieze Sculpture showcases bold and experimental artistic approaches, creating space for playful, social, and environmental themes. The conceptual and spiritual practices featured in this edition further expand the notion of public sculpture,” as reported by Fatoş Üstek, curator of Frieze Sculpture. This project promised to be the cherry on top of this year’s edition: the open-air exhibition features 22 international artists, including Leonora Carrington, Theaster Gates, Zanele Muholi, Yoshitomo Nara, Frances Goodman and Nathan Coley. It is on view in the historic English Gardens.
Additionally, various events around London, including solo exhibitions by artists like Tracey Emin at White Cube and Es Devlin’s installation at St Mary le Strand, complement the central fairs, making Frieze Week a city-wide celebration of art. What is more, there’s The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975 – 1998 at the Barbican, Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers at the National Gallery, Michael Craig-Martin at the RA and Haegue Yang: Leap Year at the Hayward Gallery.
Frieze has grown into a global art event, with editions in cultural hubs like New York, Los Angeles, and Seoul. Yet, London retains its unique charm: it’s where Frieze started, and remains a destination that consistently draws an international audience. This year's fair emphasises curatorial innovation, blending contemporary and historical art, underscoring its commitment to pushing artistic boundaries.
Additionally, this year is a critical moment for Frieze as it faces growing competition from Art Basel. The question is whether Frieze and London with it, can continue to set trends and serve as a platform where renowned figures and emerging talents converge.