The annual ‘Frieze week’ is back, with many of the world’s key commercial contemporary art galleries setting up in Regent’s Park, London for the Frieze art fair, and much of the capital’s art community responding with exhibition openings, events and viewings for collectors. The ICA, for instance, has joined up with K11 Art Foundation to present the Frieze ICA Bar, with music and events throughout the week.
A raft of other art fairs are also taking place across the city, hoping to take advantage of the buzz and excitement that Frieze is still able to generate. For all the fun of the fair, read on…
Frieze London
Presenting the work of over 1000 international artists and featuring more than 170 galleries from the well-established to emerging spaces, you can see why Frieze bills itself as ‘the contemporary art event of the year’. As usual, Frieze Projects presents a programme of artists’ commissions, plus the addition of the artists’ film programme and talks. New this year is ‘Frieze Sounds’, a programme of sound works featuring three specially-commissioned audio pieces by international artists.
Wednesday 14 – Saturday 17 October, Regent’s Park, London NW1. friezelondon.com
Frieze Masters
Offering a contemporary lens on historical art, Frieze Masters is located just 15 minutes walk away from the main attraction. Featuring over 120 of the world’s leading galleries, all the work featured was made before the year 2000. Galleries presenting work include Gagosian, Timothy Taylor, Hauser & Wirth and Lisson Gallery.
Wednesday 14 – Sunday 18 October, Regent’s Park, London NW1. friezemasters.com
Sluice_
Operating biennially since 2011, this fair was initiated by artist Karl England and educator Ben Street to highlight artist-led activity. With a focus on emerging spaces and artist/curator-led initiatives, off shoot Sluice__projects profiles artists that run artist-run projects and galleries. Taking place over three days, the event features an international line-up of galleries including Lateral ArtSpace (Romania), Season (Seattle, USA) and Bloc Projects (Sheffield, UK), live performances (Naomi Kashiwagi, pictured top), and an extensive talks programme – supported by a-n – with discussions on copyright, public art and Paying Artists.
Friday 16 – Sunday 18 October, Oxo Tower, London SE1. sluice.info
The Independent Artist Fair
This artist-led fair was first established in 2013. Following a change of venue last year, the latest edition returns to the Rag Factory, just off Brick Lane. Featuring work by 80 artists and including sculpture, painting, photography, video, installation, music and performance, the fair showcases both established and emerging practitioners.
Wednesday 14 – Sunday 18 October, Rag Factory, London E1. tiaflondon.wordpress.com
The Other Art Fair
Returning for its 10th edition, The Other Art Fair is once again taking place at East London’s Old Truman Brewery. Featuring over 130 artists, the focus is on emerging and undiscovered talent, and with prices starting at just £50 it is aimed at first-time art buyers as much as established collectors.
Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 October, Old Truman Brewery, London E1. theotherartfair.com
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair
With a title that references the 54 countries that constitute the African continent, this fair aims to provide a platform for artists and organisations involved in what the organisers describe as ‘African and Africa-related projects’. Initiated by Touria El Glaoui this, its third edition, sees the fair return to Somerset House following a debut New York event earlier this year. It’s the biggest fair yet, with 38 exhibitors showcasing work by over 150 artists.
Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 October, Somerset House, London WC2. 1-54.com
Sunday Art Fair
Another fair focusing on new and emerging artists and galleries. Now on its sixth edition, this year’s fair features 25 international galleries exhibiting solo or curated presentations. Also new this year is a show of artists’ editions by four UK institutions – Spike Island (Bristol), Focal Point Gallery (Southen-On-Sea), S1 Artspace (Sheffield) and Wysing Arts Centre (Cambridge).
Wednesday 14 – Sunday 18 October, Ambika P3, London, NW1. sundayartfair.com
Multiplied 2015
This annual fair organised by the auction house Christie’s is devoted exclusively to contemporary art in editions and features a wide variety of multiples, including prints, artists’ books, photographs and 3D works. A number of high-profile galleries such as Flowers and Modern Art Oxford are represented, as well as artist-led spaces including London’s Bearspace.
Friday 16 – Sunday 18 October, Christie’s South Kensington, 85 Old Brompton Road, London SW7. multipliedartfair.com
Pavilion of Art and Design (PAD)
Covering 20th Century art, design and decorative arts, PAD features 62 exhibitors, 15 of which are new to the fair this year. The ninth edition introduces a colourful panorama of Asian and Islamic art with the arrival of Michael Goedhuis, while Alexis Renard will be showing pieces from India and Persia ranging from 10th century terracotta to 18th century gilded works on paper. Other exhibitors include Mazzoleni Art, Finch and Co, Gordon Watson, David Gill Gallery and Rose Uniacke.
Wednesday 14 – Sunday 18 October, Berkeley Square, London W1. pad-fairs.com/london
Affordable Art Fair
If all the above still doesn’t do it for you, fear not. Taking place several days after Frieze week, the Affordable Art Fair pops up in Battersea from 22 October. Claiming to be London’s ‘friendliest art fair’, it showcases 120 British and international galleries, with prices capped at £5000.
Thursday 22 – Sunday 25 October, Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11. affordableartfair.com
More on a-n.co.uk:
A Q&A with… Abraham Cruzvillegas, Hyundai Commission artist – Richard Taylor interviews the Mexican artist who has created the first in Tate Modern’s new series of Turbine Hall commissions
Damien Hirst launches new gallery with work by abstract painter John Hoyland – Stephen Palmer is impressed by Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery
