What not to miss at this year’s Frieze in London

Frieze London 2024 is just around the corner, and with the art market's current uncertainties, anticipation is growing by the day. But October 9 is fast approaching, and it’s best not to be caught off guard. Now in its 2024 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. Alongside it, the equally awaited Frieze Masters, launched in 2012, continues to explore ancient and modern art, bridging the gap between past and present. Frieze has expanded worldwide with editions in New York, Los Angeles, and Seoul, bringing its energy to different cultural capitals. However, London still holds a special place: it's where it all began, and where the fair continues to draw an international crowd year after year. This edition will be a major test, especially with the rising prominence of competitor Art Basel. Will Frieze—and with it, London—prove that it's still a trendsetter and a meeting point for big names and emerging talent?

Frieze London has promised a fresh look for this year's edition, thanks to the innovative design by Studio Between, which introduces a completely new layout for 2024. One of the most anticipated highlights is the ceramic-focused program curated by Pablo José Ramírez, emphasizing indigenous and diaspora practices. However, the heartbeat of the fair remains the emerging artists, with the Focus section showcasing 34 solo and duo exhibitions from emerging galleries worldwide. The list of exhibitors is impressive, featuring 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. 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.

Fatoş Üstek, curator of Frieze Sculpture, promises that this project is truly the cherry on top of this year’s edition. The open-air exhibition features 22 international artists and will be on view until October 27, 2024, in the historic English Gardens.

Frieze Sculpture, on the other hand, has been open since September 18 in the English Gardens section of the park.

Opening image: Pilar Corrias, Frieze London, 2023. Photo: Linda Nylind/Frieze