Frieze Week: A Celebration of Global Art and Culture in Three Cities
Every year, the global art scene converges for a short period in a celebration of creativity and culture. This period, fondly termed Frieze Week, reverberates in the art-centric cities of London, New York, and Los Angeles. It’s not just about the Frieze Art Fairs; it’s an immersive experience complete with gallery unveilings, museum exhibitions, institution show openings, and other revelatory events. Complementing the rich tapestry of art events is the companion publication that throws a spotlight on the concurrent cultural wonders taking place citywide.
London, with its intrinsic aura of artistic vibrancy, pulsates with renewed energy each autumn during Frieze Week. With enthusiasts and aficionados flocking from every corner of the globe, this season witnesses a perceptible tilt towards solo exhibitions, presenting a blend of budding prodigies and esteemed masters.
Dive into the heart of Frieze Week with these standout exhibitions:
- El Anatsui’s Hyundai Commission (October 10, 2023 — April 14, 2024)
The Tate Modern’s annual Hyundai Commission is a beacon during Frieze Week. The suspenseful anticipation is palpable, as details remain shrouded until the grand unveiling. This year, the colossal Turbine Hall is entrusted to the genius of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui. Lauded for his expansive, gleaming artworks crafted from reclaimed materials, Anatsui brings an unpredictable element: his art installations often emerge in collaboration with the hosting venue, devoid of pre-determined instructions. - Presence by Claudette Johnson (September 29, 2023 — January 14 2024)
A stalwart of the Black British Arts Movement and the BLK Art Group of the 1980s, Claudette Johnson unveils her maiden solo exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery. A pivotal moment in art history, Johnson challenges the British art establishment’s perceptions. Through her evocative large-scale drawings of friends, family, and self-portraits, she chronicles an alternative narrative of black presence in Britain, seamlessly merging the soft with the assertive. - Frank Walter: “Artist, Gardener, Radical” (October 4, 2023 — February 25, 2024)
The Garden Museum offers an escape into the vibrant world of Antiguan artist Frank Walter. With over 100 paintings and sculptures, the display delves into Walter’s late-life dedication to creativity. But Walter’s legacy goes beyond art; he’s historically noted as Antigua’s first Black sugar plantation manager and a staunch advocate for progressive policies that touched upon police reform and small-scale agrarian support. - Soft ground by Trevor Yeung (September 28, 2023 — December 18, 2023)
Stepping into Trevor Yeung’s “Soft ground” is akin to embarking on a sensory expedition. Drawing inspiration from London’s covert gay cruising locales, Yeung’s inaugural UK solo exhibition envelops visitors in an evocative experience. From aromatic hints of bygone romances to audial echoes and visual markers of Hampstead Heath’s famed tree — a symbol of suppressed desires, Yeung ensures that every piece is a narrative in itself. - Hiroshi Sugimoto (October 11, 2023 — January 7, 2024)
The multifaceted Hiroshi Sugimoto, celebrated for his evocative black-and-white photography, takes center stage at the Hayward Gallery. Though recently in the limelight for his architectural marvel, the “Point of Infinity” in San Francisco, this exhibition revisits his masterful captures. From lifelike wax figures and the tranquillity of Buddha statues from a Kyoto temple to the ethereal beauty of seascapes, Sugimoto’s oeuvre promises a mesmerizing journey.
Frieze Week, in its essence, isn’t just a fleeting period marked on the calendar. It’s a vibrant manifestation of the collective human spirit that finds resonance in art. As the cities of London, New York, and Los Angeles transform into dynamic canvases, the world witnesses a spectacular outpouring of creativity, dialogue, and reflection.
The exhibitions highlighted this year, from the expansive masterpieces of El Anatsui to the introspective depictions by Claudette Johnson, and from the lush landscapes of Frank Walter to the evocative sensory experiences crafted by Trevor Yeung, all underscore one undeniable truth: art is not static. It evolves, challenges, questions, and celebrates. It bridges the past with the present, the personal with the universal, and the tangible with the abstract.
Moreover, the celebration isn’t confined to the hallowed halls of renowned galleries and museums. It permeates through the cities’ boulevards, cafes, parks, and everyday conversations, making art accessible, relatable, and integral to the societal fabric. This unique democratization of art, where both seasoned critics and the uninitiated can find a voice and a perspective, is perhaps the most enduring legacy of Frieze Week.
In a world increasingly dominated by the digital and ephemeral, Frieze Week stands as a testament to the enduring power of the tangible. The brush strokes, the sculpture’s texture, the play of light in a photograph — they all beckon the observer to pause, reflect, and connect. In this sense, Frieze Week isn’t merely an event; it’s a phenomenon, reminding us of the profound impact art has, not just on our surroundings, but on our souls.
As the curtains fall on another season, the memories of Frieze Week will linger, not just as a showcase of artistic prowess but as a profound communion of global cultures, perspectives, and stories. It is a reaffirmation of art’s timeless allure and its unparalleled ability to inspire, challenge, and unite humanity.
