Frieze Day 1

3 December 2021

Frieze Day 1
I headed to Frieze London shortly after a lovely afternoon tea at the Zabludowicz Collection to celebrate new exhibition, The Stand-Ins. A painting show, curated by Team Zab and headed by Paul Luckraft, showing 19 painters who are all in the Collection. It is amazing to see many of the artists I love, hung together in such a thoughtful way
Frieze Day 1
The first work I spot as I arrive at Frieze Art Fair is an incredible Alvaro Barrington, so bold and ambitious
Frieze Day 1
The fair was not huge this year, so was manageable with so much to see. This incredible work by Lindsey Mendick at Carl Freedman Gallery was waiting for us as we turned a corner in the white-tented labyrinth
Frieze Day 1
Even the art was looking at art, much like in this Thomas J Price sculpture at Hauser & Wirth
Frieze Day 1
My favourite two gallerists, Benoît and Javier, from Peres Projects were finally in London, here standing in front of an incredible Donna Huanca painting
Frieze Day 1
It was great to visit the Thomas Dane Gallery booth and see such great artists and their works for sale. Like this cool work, ‘Infinity’ by Terry Adkins, which was made over a period of 40 years, between 1972 and 2014
Frieze Day 1
I spotted David Ruben wearing an AR bag from Daata. If you scan the QR code, an artwork will pop out
Frieze Day 1
Next was a visit to Carlos/Ishikawa’s booth to see one of my favourite young painters, Issy Wood
Frieze Day 1
It was great to see a wonderful presentation by Matthew Darbyshire at Herald St. They were showing an artwork made during lockdown of his daughter, wife and mother
Frieze Day 1
Josh Lilley was showing a great work! ‘Bad Fruit (The Siren)’ by Kathleen Ryan, was made using lovely semi-precious stones including lapis lazuli, pink opal and rose quartz. An intense and beautiful work
Frieze Day 1
At Kendall Koppe we were lucky to spot this gem by Ella Kruglyanskaya
Frieze Day 1
I also found the work by Laura Aldridge very interesting. Her approach to materials was unique, and her choices between synthetic and the natural was fascinating. I love the way she is taking risks and creating works that are functional and also non-functional. Her work can either be useful or an ornament
Frieze Day 1
At Super Dakota there was a very impressive work by Isaac Lythgoe. Using all sorts of materials, the works were based on narratives. His amazing sculptures were made of so many different surprising elements
Frieze Day 1
That evening I attended a delicious dinner with Ryan Gander, Anicka Yi and John Akomfrah at Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover’s new restaurant, Toklas at 180 The Strand. On route was a weird and wonderful Daniel Arsham
Frieze Day 1
We made a quick visit to 1-54 at Somerset House and bumped into some of my favourite collectors
Frieze Day 1
Then Daata hosted a Mayfair street party for the Shanghai Modern Art Museum, launching a fantastic Jeremy Couillard NFT
Frieze Day 1
The Shanghai Modern Art Museum X Daata collaboration will be a great success, I have no doubt. Here is a very happy Museum Director, Shai Baitel.