Financial Times : Frieze’s 20th anniversary kicks off with adventurous sculpture show (by Melanie Gerlis)

Photographs, courtesy of the artist / Dirimart⁠

London’s credentials as an art-market centre are on the mind of the organisers of this year’s Frieze, which marks the 20th anniversary of its first fair, held in Regent’s Park then as now. Although now less hospitable to emerging artists and gallerists trying to make their way, thanks to Brexit, the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, London maintains a “rich history, diverse communities and thriving arts scene”, says Eva Langret, director of Frieze London, and is “a place where ideas are exchanged and innovation happens”.

Kicking off the events this autumn will be Frieze Sculpture, which runs in the park between September 20 and October 29 and is organised for the first time by the curator Fatos Üstek. She promises about 20 works in the park, mostly for sale, which will comprise “the monumental and the ephemeral”. These include large-scale pieces by Zac Ové (“The Mothership Connection”, 2021, Gallery 1957), which lights up, and Ayse Erkmen’s more muted “Model for Moss Column” (2023, Dirimart gallery). Works such as “The Hop” (2022, Pi Artworks) by Jyll Bradley include performance. The Frieze London and Frieze Masters fairs will run from October 11-15.

Article published on : https://www.ft.com