Art Market
Exterior view of Frieze London 2024. Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Frieze and Linda Nylind.
Each October, the art world descends upon Regent’s Park as the white tents of Frieze London and Frieze Masters open for the week.
Taking place from October 15th to 19th, Frieze will host more than 280 galleries between its two fairs. At Frieze London, expect to discover compelling contemporary art. Frieze Masters, meanwhile, bridges past and present, showcasing everything from antiquities to 20th-century masterpieces.
The energy of the fair will also be spread across the London art scene throughout a period colloquially known as “Frieze Week,” when the city becomes a whirlwind of standout shows, satellite fairs, and other art happenings.
Along with the fair itself, the sheer number of things to see can pose a challenge for even the most experienced art navigator. To help you make sense of this bustling landscape, Artsy spoke to some of London’s most exciting art world figures for their tips (answers have been edited for length and clarity).
Aaron Cezar
Founding director of Delfina Foundation
Portrait of Aaron Cezar. Photo by Tim Bowditch. Courtesy of Delfina Foundation
What does Frieze Week mean to you?
Lack of sleep! But seriously, Frieze Week offers the opportunity for London to take centre stage in the art world and for institutions like Delfina to welcome our international audiences.
What are your tips for the fair?
Start with the Focus section, then visit the curated section by Jareh Das featuring artists from Brazil, Africa, and their diasporas. Finally, take in the rest of the fair closely by following the map. Allow yourself the opportunity to discover something new in Focus or the curated sections. Plan an early or late lunch to avoid the crowds.
What shows are you looking forward to?
“Giacometti x Mona Hatoum” at Barbican, Sojung Jun at The Showroom, Yto Barrada at South London Gallery, as well as many of Delfina’s alumni artists: Lawrence Lek at Goldsmiths CCA, Candice Lin at Whitechapel Gallery, Jane and Louise Wilson at Bloomberg SPACE, and Tacita Dean at Frith Street Gallery. At Delfina, we’re celebrating an exhibition by our alumnus Maxwell Alexandre.
Lawrence Lek, installation view of “Life Before Automation” at Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art. Photo by Rob Harris. Courtesy of Goldsmiths CCA.
Where are your top food/drink recommendations?
I adore Brunswick House, which is set alongside an antique store in Vauxhall. It’s great to pair with a trip to Tate Britain, Matt’s Gallery, Gasworks, or Sunday Painter, which are in the immediate vicinity. I also adore Asian food. My favorites are the Royal China, Ning’s Hotpot, The Noodle Inn, and Lao Café.
Your tips for those visiting London for the week?
Explore smaller commercial and non-profit spaces where you will discover emerging trends. London is a cultural capital not only because of its flagship institutions and galleries, but also because of the smaller initiatives that fuel them, cultivating and nourishing the next generation of artists.
Helena Czernecka
Publisher of HELA Press and independent curator
Portrait of Helena Czernecka. Photo by Stanisław Boniecki. Courtesy of Helena Czernecka.
HELA Press at Emalin. Photo by Stanisław Boniecki. Courtesy of Helena Czernecka.
What does Frieze Week mean to you?
The excitement of back-to-school.
What shows are you looking forward to?
Peter Doig at Serpentine Galleries and Cosima von Bonin at Raven Row.
Installation view of “Peter Doig: House of Music” at Serpentine Galleries. Photo by Prudence Cuming Associates. Courtesy of Serpentine Galleries.
What’s your favorite thing about the London art world at the moment?
How it interacts with literature. Through gallery exhibitions, live events, book clubs, book fairs, and so much more.
Where are your top food/drink recommendations?
Drinks at Bar Italia. One Club Row for a fun dinner.
And your tips for those visiting London for the week?
Make time to visit the new wave of galleries in Bloomsbury (Hot Wheels, a. SQUIRE, Brunette Coleman).
Brigitta Spinocchia Freund
Interior architect
Portrait of Brigitta Spinocchia Freund. Photo by Felix Speller. Courtesy of Brigitta Spinocchia Freund
What are your tips for navigating Frieze?
The fair is vast, so the key is to curate rather than cram. I like to decide on a few threads to follow, whether that is emerging voices, female artists, or masters. A little research beforehand helps, but I always allow room for detours. Some of the most rewarding encounters happen when wandering without expectation.
What shows are you looking forward to?
This year, I am drawn to presentations that foreground women in art, materiality, and artistry and craft, with ceramics as a particular personal focus.
I am excited to see “Echoes in the Present” at Frieze, curated by Jareh Das, and Frieze’s Focus section is always fertile ground for discovery. I am keen to visit young galleries such as a.SQUIRE, Bombon, and Kayokoyuki.
Among the established galleries, I never miss Sadie Coles HQ, Victoria Miro, Lisson Gallery a,nd Kate MacGarry. At Frieze Masters, I anticipate a rich conversation between past and present, particularly in the Spotlight and Reflections sections.
Teodora Axente’s exhibition at rosenfeld is another highlight. Her work feels at times surreal; it evokes both beauty and discomfort, which I find compelling, and the richness, combined with spiritual and symbolic imagery, creates a rather haunting dialogue.
What’s your favorite thing about the London art world at the moment?
Its extraordinary range. As an interior designer and collector, that breadth constantly feeds my imagination. For example, White Cube continues to surprise and inspire. I love the current exhibition by Cai Guo-Qiang, which is intimate yet conceptually powerful, with a sensitivity to surface and presence.
The Hayward Gallery is having a remarkable moment under the curatorial direction of Rachel Thomas, whose recent Yoshitomo Nara exhibition felt brave, layered, and human. I am especially drawn to Flowers Gallery and Matthew Flowers’ vision. He has championed emerging artists with quiet determination for many years. Angelica Jopling’s Incubator gallery also brings fearless energy, creating spaces where the next generation defines itself.
Jarelle Francis
Independent curator, founder of Meadow, and exhibitions assistant at Tate
Portrait of Jarelle Francis. Courtesy of Jarelle Francis.
What does Frieze Week mean to you?
A week when the art scene in London comes alive! There is always something that leaves an indelible mark: I still think about Divine Southgate-Smith’s presentation at Nicoletti’s booth last year, and I remember the joy I felt seeing Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Black Tuxedo (1982) in 2021. It’s a rare opportunity to discover new work from emerging artists or see work you’ve seen on screen or in art books. I always feel inspired.
What are your tips for those looking to make the most of things?
Look out for the smaller emerging galleries and project spaces away from central London. Head to Enclave Projects in Deptford, for example, where there are several great spaces. There are also so many galleries within walking distance of Frieze, in Fitzrovia, for instance.
What shows are you looking forward to?
I can’t wait for Minor Attractions at the Mandrake hotel. My nomadic gallery, Meadow, will be showing work by Dohyun Baek. There are so many great galleries taking part. Look out for the live events program curated by Sophie Barrett-Pouleau.
Exterior view of The Dublin Castle, Camden. Photo by Ewan Munro via Wikimedia Commons.
What’s your favorite thing about the London art world at the moment?
There is a wonderful community of “baby galleries,” which are under 10 years old. The art world is full of gatekeepers, but community is a way to redress that balance to try and keep the art ecology more collaborative rather than competitive.
Where are your food and drink recommendations?
If you are near Frieze, head to ShakeShuka for some great food and juices. After eating, head into Soho and get some drinks. Frieze Masters is closer to Camden, which has a livelier nightlife. The Dublin Castle is a great pub, and Parkway has a mix of restaurants.
And your tips for those visiting London for the week?
There are so many live music gigs or great theatre shows to see, so make use of your time in the city. If you want to experience something different from the arts, why not go to one of the many lower league football games ?
Faridah Folawiyo
Independent curator and researcher, founder of FF Projects.
Portrait of Faridah Folawiyo. Courtesy of Faridah Folawiyo.
What does Frieze Week mean to you?
If I’m being totally honest, it means feeling extremely overwhelmed, but also really grateful to catch up with people and see all the art. It also means committing to lots of things and then eventually realizing I don’t have the energy to actually attend them.
What are your tips for navigating the fair?
You’re on your feet all day, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and try not to get caught up in the fashion show of it all. I also really like going with someone, usually my mum. I always have the galleries that I’m looking out for, and so it’s always nice when someone else has their own hit list. You can combine and conquer.
I also suggest going at off-peak times. Also, go to Frieze Masters! Always.
Installation view of “Nigerian Modernism” at Tate Modern, 2025. Photo by Jai Monaghan. © Tate. Courtesy of Tate.
What are your tips for the week?
Do what you can handle and don’t get caught up in missing things. There’s always next year!
What shows are you looking forward to?
“Nigerian Modernism” at Tate Modern, Karimah Ashadu at Camden Arts Centre, Kerry James Marshall at the Royal Academy of Arts, and Lisa Brice at Sadie Coles HQ. Also, Jareh Das’s curated section at Frieze, especially Bunmi Agusto’s work at TAFETA.
What’s your favorite thing about the London art world at the moment?
Some of my favorite artists are living and working in London right now. There is a really deep well of talent here, and I’m always trying to figure out structures and projects to support and give access to that.
Where are your top food/drink recommendations?
It’s hard to beat a post-Frieze meal at The Royal China Club on Baker Street. I also love to meet people for a coffee and dessert at St. John in Marylebone. The Coburg at the Connaught is my favorite bar.
While it’s quite a specific vibe, I don’t think I’ve had a better mezcalita in London (granted, my sample size is not huge) than downstairs at Kol. A bit further out, Miga is serving my favorite food in London at the moment. I also love Cafe Cecilia, and Violet is my favorite bakery in the world.
And your tips for those visiting London for the week?
Pace yourself!
Portrait of Hannah Tilson. Courtesy of Sarah Wilson and SCRT,
Hannah Tilson’s studio. Courtesy of Hannah Tilson.
What does Frieze Week mean to you?
It’s the end of summer and the first hurrah of autumn. A week when collectors, artists, and gallerists dissolve into a frenzy on the Bakerloo line.
What are your tips for those looking to make the most of things?
Follow Spittle or Hector Campbell on Substack to find the latest events happening around town. Check out other art fairs going on at the same time. Minor Attractions is happening at the Mandrake Hotel, amongst others.
What shows are you looking forward to?
I currently have a solo exhibition at Cedric Bardawil, so I’ve been in the deadline zone and am looking forward to seeing what’s happening: First stop is Evangeline Turner at A. SQUIRE, and Herald St’s Frieze booth always draws me in.
What’s your favorite thing about the London art world at the moment?
There’s a real sense of community right now, and I feel lucky to be surrounded by supportive and talented friends. In a world that can often feel dog-eat-dog, it’s nice to see everyone showing up for one another.
Where are your food/drink recommendations?
Wong Kei on Wardour Street (bring cash). You might end up sharing a table with someone holding the ticket to your next Frieze event. In East London, Albers on Englefield Road. The perfect spot to impress the friend you made last night. You’ll find yourself surrounded by Frieze-worthy art here, too.
And your tips for those visiting London for the week?
During Frieze Week, London turns into New York, a city that doesn’t sleep. Take as much in as you can and try to take some of the next week off to debrief. That is, unless you’re already on the Eurostar to Art Basel Paris…
