fair in Regent’s Park, is usually a magnet for actors, musicians, politicians and creatives. But this year, for the fair’s 20th anniversary, it was the aesthetes who were out in force., Russell Tovey, Ozwald Boateng, Wolfgang Tillmans, Tom Rasmussen and Pierpaolo Piccioli were among guests who wandered from booth to booth, carrying bags by Hermès, Chanel or other luxury brands and gazing at the art.
Chief executive officer of Frieze Simon Fox said the fair has been working with the mayor’s office to make sure that London, and the U.K., retain their preeminence “as the cultural capital of Europe,” he said. In London, artists studios have been disappearing due to gentrification, but Simons believes “we’re gaining more than we’ve lost. We’re in a net benefit.”
Jacques’ gallery has been a driving force in establishing the reputations of previously unknown female artists. There are many of them, Jacques said. Carl Freedman, a Margate-based gallery representing the artist Lindsey Mendick, was selling its artwork quickly within the first hour of opening at the fair. For the fair, Mendick produced seven ceramic handbags with shipwrecks coming out of them. They were presented on a glossy plinth and meant to be a twisted joke on the commoditization of art. The pieces range in price from 11,500 to 13,000 pounds.
He also addressed the absence of Russian buyers at the fair. Due to sanctions, Russians are unable to travel to Europe or buy from the region. Perrotin said the absence of Russians has impacted only the “most expensive works,” and has been damaging to the U.K. market.