Frieze London 2023

This year, Frieze London celebrates its 20th-anniversary. Over 160 galleries from 46 countries exhibit in the fair. Even in the post-Brexit economy the fair attracts a big international art crowd. The aisles are packed. One of my highlights of the fair is Yinka Shonibare’s works. The British-Nigerian artist is shown by several galleries, including Cristea Roberts (London), which specializes in limited editions. Charlotte Salisbury says: “His work is about national identity and what that means in a colonial or post-colonial context.” Currently, Stephen Friedman gallery runs his solo-exhibition on Cork Street and also presents his sculpture at the Frieze Sculpture in the Regent’s Park. One of additions this year is the Artist-to-Artist initiative, where a major artist invites a lesser-known talent. One of them, Fabian Knecht was selected by Olafur Eliasson. Alexander Levy of the namesake gallery from Berlin displays three of his textile works made from Ukrainian camouflage nets. Praxis is another gallery in this section. Justine Gómez Romero, whom I met a couple of years ago in the downtown gallery, introduces Simonette Quamina. The young Afro-Caribbean artist was nominated by Alvaro Barrington. Gómez Romero is thrilled with the reception at Frieze and says that the entire booth is sold out.

Heading over to the Frieze Masters is enjoyable not just because the English Gardens are especially gorgeous in the fall, but you can also view the sculptures scattered all over the park. They are part of the free section of the fair, Frieze Sculpture, which is open through the end of October. The stroll is about 15 minutes, or you can take a free shuttle.

This is the 11th edition of Frieze Masters. Over 130 galleries present works ranging from antiquities to the 20th century. The experience never disappoints. One of the visitors, Julia Dennis, agrees with me saying that she “saves herself to build up for that” once she’s seen the contemporary fair. But what caught my eye is the name of Boris Vasilyevich Anrep at the Philip Mould gallery stand. One of the featured works here is a rare mosaic by Anrep, says Ellie Smith. Supposedly, the figure depicted in the mosaic is Vaslav Nijinksy. A new section Modern Women features prominent at one time but forgotten women artists from 1880 to 1980. Galerie Bernard Bouche spotlights Émilie Charmy, a French modernist painter, and the owner’s grandmother. The paintings on display are mainly self-portraits except for one. It depicts Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, a French belletrist writer of the 20th century, known for her extravagant lifestyle and sensual writing.
The fair runs October 11 – 15, 2023.