Events & Exhibitions

20 Years of Frieze London

The galleries, artists and insights from this year’s Frieze.

Frieze London, one of the world’s most influential contemporary art fairs, celebrated its 20th anniversary last week. Established in 2003 by founders Sharp and Slotover, the fair has become a key event in the art world calendar, showcasing the best and most innovative contemporary art from around the globe. Held annually in The Regent’s Park, London, Frieze London has gained a reputation for its cutting-edge exhibitions and ability to connect artists, galleries, collectors, and art enthusiasts.

Eva Langret, Director of Frieze London, expressed her gratitude for this year’s edition, stating, “We look forward to welcoming artists, galleries, institutions, collectors, and art enthusiasts from around the globe in celebration of our 20th anniversary.” Langret also highlighted the international nature of the fair, with exhibitors representing six continents.

Matthew and I were fortunate enough to be invited by our client and friend, Daniel Crouch, to the incredible Frieze London art show. Daniel Crouch Rare Books, a specialist dealer in antique atlases, maps, and much more, showcased their unique and wonderful collection of maps at the event. This esteemed dealer offers a carefully selected stock of antique atlases, maps, plans, sea charts, voyages, prints, globes, and cartographic reference books, spanning from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Their presence added a fascinating and historical touch to the vibrant contemporary art fair.

Modern Women curated by Camille Morineau and AWARE.

One of the noteworthy highlights of this year’s Frieze London was the Modern Women section, curated by Camille Morineau and her team at AWARE. This section focused on solo exhibitions by women artists working between 1880 and 1980, a period that witnessed significant advancements in women’s rights and feminism. The selection aimed to showcase the contributions and achievements of women artists during this pivotal era.

Participating artists and galleries in the Modern Women section included Tarsila do Amaral, Anna-Eva Bergman, Lisetta Carmi, Émilie Charmy, Kangja Jung, Maria Lai, Vera Molnár, Faith Ringgold, Paule Vézelay, and Ethel Walker. Each artist’s work captured the essence of their respective time periods and explored various themes and styles. From the early feminist movements to the emergence of abstract art, the Modern Women section provided a diverse and enriching experience.

One standout artist in the Modern Women section was Anna-Eva Bergman, whose work was presented by Perrotin. Born in Stockholm in 1909, Bergman’s artistic journey took her from Norway to Paris, where she met and later married Hans Hartung, a fellow artist. The evolution of Bergman’s work showcased different phases, from her interest in the golden ratio and architecture to her exploration of forms inspired by Scandinavian nature and light. With a focus on simplicity and restricted color palettes, her paintings exuded a sense of tranquility and serenity.

Another notable artist featured in the Modern Women section was Paule Vézelay, whose work was presented by England & Co. Vézelay’s innovative abstract art and her involvement with the Parisian avant-garde made her a significant contributor to the modern art movement. She experimented with various mediums, including painting, sculpture, collages, and compositions with stretched strings. Her series of thread and wire constructions, known as Lines in Space, demonstrated her unique and independent approach to art.

New for Frieze Masters 2023, Modern Women, curated by Camille Morineau and her team at AWARE (Archive of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions), is dedicated to solo exhibitions by women artists working between 1880–1980, a pivotal period for women’s rights and feminism.

20 Years of Frieze London

The galleries, artists and insights from this year’s Frieze.

Modern Women curated by Camille Morineau and AWARE.

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