Frieze London and Frieze Masters are set to showcase nearly 300 galleries from October 14 to 18 at Regent's Park. This year's Frieze London will feature 172 exhibitors, while Frieze Masters will host 138, with eight galleries participating in both events, including notable names like Hauser & Wirth and Richard Saltoun Gallery.
Eva Langret, EMEA director of Frieze, highlighted the unique energy of the fairs, stating, "The diversity of galleries and artists--from established hubs to emerging scenes--creates a vibrant atmosphere." She emphasized the importance of equity in showcasing artists and galleries that are pushing contemporary art forward, regardless of their location.
This edition of Frieze London will spotlight "discovery," placing works from emerging artists and younger galleries near the entrance. Two booths were selected through proposals: Márcia Falcão at Fortes d'Aloia & Gabriel and Agata Ingarden at Berthold Pott.
Among the prominent galleries participating are Gagosian, Pace Gallery, and David Zwirner, alongside a variety of London-based galleries, such as Victoria Miro and Sadie Coles HQ. The fair will also introduce curated sections, including "The Code Universe," organized by Carol Yinghua Lu, which will explore how artists engage with societal changes through mass culture.
Another exciting initiative is the Artist-to-Artist section, where established artists nominate peers whose work deserves greater recognition. Notable nominators this year include Gala Porras-Kim and Yinka Shonibare.
Frieze Masters will continue to merge antiquities with modern works, featuring a range of galleries such as Ortuzar and Galleria Continua. The fair will also introduce a new section titled "Queering Modernism," curated by Anke Kempkes, showcasing influential artists like Claude Cahun and Judy Chicago.
Deutsche Bank remains a global lead partner for the 23rd consecutive year, contributing to a VIP lounge that will feature an installation reflecting on migration experiences through the lens of an Indigenous artist.
Kristell Chadé, executive director of fairs at Frieze, remarked on the shared vision of both fairs, stating, "Together, they create a dialogue between contemporary practice and art history, offering fresh perspectives and discoveries across generations and geographies." This October, London will once again become a focal point for the international art community.