It’s definitely that time of the year when international patrons, artists, collectors and curators gather in London to take the pulse of the contemporary art’s scene, enjoy the best museum and private galleries’ programming and get together to discuss new ideas.

Frieze and Frieze Masters return this year with redesigned display spaces, and artist-focused programming, including Studio curated by Sheena Wagstaff and Smoke curated by Pablo José Ramírez. A robust and edgy VIP programme focused on many of the top museum exhibitions currently on display (Monet at Courtauld, Van Gogh at the National Gallery, Lauren Halsey and Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst at Serpentine etc), as well as important partners such as Stone Island, Gucci, Ruinart and BMW, mark this year’s fairs.

Eva Langret, Director, Frieze London said: ‘Visitors this year will find the fair reimagined, with solo presentations and emerging artists front and centre, in a demonstration of Frieze’s commitment to the most exciting art being made today. Our new layout also features more spots for conversation and exchange. These changes promise fresh experiences and new perspectives.’ 

A landmark of the fair’s artist-driven programme introduced in 2023, the Artist-to-Artist section makes a comeback with six solo presentations selected by prominent artists Hurvin Anderson, Lubaina Himid, Rashid Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Zineb Sedira, and Yinka Shonibare.

Alongside partnerships with significant UK arts groups and public institutions, the Frieze London and Frieze Masters programmes will feature exciting projects and activations, such as the return of the Frieze London Artist Award and Frieze Masters Talks. The second edition of Frieze Sculpture, organised by Fatoş Üstek, is staged in The Regent’s Park’s until 10 October 2024 with a selection of spectacular works by Juliana Cerqueira Leite, Theresa Chromati, Nika Neelova, Theaster Gates, Yoshitomo Nara, and Leonora Carrington among others.

The sister fair, Frieze Masters, also returns with a stellar programme. The fair’s new Creative Advisor, Sheena Wagstaff, said: ‘Our new curatorial direction acknowledges how artists visit Frieze Masters to satisfy their curiosity, rejuvenate their thinking and see how the work of their artist peers reflects the creative values of the past.’ Isabella Ducrot, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Shirazeh Houshiary, and Doris Salcedo are on the lineup for this year’s Studio where a selection of contemporary artists respond to historical works, with curation and creativity resonating with ideas of legacy and temporality.

London’s creative industry will once again join Frieze and Frieze Masters through its official and parallel programme of events and presentations taking over the city.

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Image: Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, The Form, 2024, Lawrie Shabibi. Frieze Sculpture 2024. Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Linda Nylind/ Frieze and Frieze 2023.