THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF FRIEZE LONDON OPENS TODAY
“No one involved had done an art fair before. There was tension and stress and grown men crying,” says Frieze co-founder Amanda Sharp of the art fair she founded back in 2003 with Matthew Slotover.
“I remember standing in the entrance corridor and it felt like watching every person doing interesting, creative things in London was there. The crowds were unmanageable. And it was raining. People like Anish Kapoor in the rain for an hour.”
Fast forward two decades and Frieze London is one of the most important events on the art calendar, attracting not only an interesting crowd but a big one – over 60,000 people visit Frieze London and Frieze Masters, which brings together six millennia of art, each year.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2023
Aptly, for its 20th anniversary, this year’s Frieze London is the most international edition to date, with over 160 leading galleries spanning 40 countries.
To mark its long-standing tradition of artist-led programming, 2023 will see the launch of a new “Artist-to-Artist” initiative, which will invite eight household name artists, whose work has defined the contemporary art landscape over the past two decades, to nominate others for solo exhibitions at the fair.
Featured presentations include Deborah Anzinger proposed by Simone Leigh (Nicola Vassell); Fabian Knecht proposed by Olafur Eliasson (alexander levy); Simonette Quamina proposed by Alvaro Barrington (Praxis); Vanessa Raw proposed by Tracey Emin CBE RA (Carl Freedman Gallery); and Carlos Villa proposed by Anthea Hamilton (Silverlens).
2023 also sees the introduction of Modern Women, a new themed section steered by the non-profit organisation AWARE (Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions) and its co-founder Camille Morineau. Dedicated to solo exhibitions by women artists, it will focus on works created between 1880 and 1980, a pivotal period for women’s rights and feminism.
Eva Langret, director of Frieze London, said: “Our 20th anniversary celebrations are an opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey that both the fair and London’s cultural community have taken over the past two decades. With its rich history, diverse communities, and thriving arts scene, London is a place where ideas are exchanged and innovation happens, and this year’s participating galleries attest to the continued vitality of the city. Over the past two decades Frieze London has played a pivotal role in
shaping the city’s arts ecosystem, and we look forward to both captivating and challenging audiences for many years to come.”
Frieze London and the 11th edition of Frieze Masters will take place concurrently from 11-15 October in The Regent's Park, London.