The Art Fairs to See in London

London art fair season is already upon us and the capital has a diverse selection of Fairs to suit all tastes and budgets. From the big hitters Frieze and Frieze Masters sitting pretty in Regent’s Park to Mandrake Hotel’s Minor Attractions, to the relocated StART art fair taking up its new position in the centre of King’s Cross. Comfy shoes and portable phone chargers at the ready, here’s my pick of the Fairs to see.

1. British Art Fair Saatchi Gallery (26-29 September) Founded in 1988 and located at the Saatchi Gallery, the British Art Fair kicks off art season in London, with its focus on Modern British and Contemporary British. Expect the titans of British art including David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Frank Auerbach, L.S. Lowry, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, alongside emerging artists in the Solo Contemporary section curated by Zavier Ellis, which includes a guest show from Brixton based artist Abe Odedina, titled Son of the Soil presented by the African Art Hub.
   
2. Frieze and Frieze Masters, Regent’s Park (9-13 October) – In 2023 The Guardian’s esteemed art critic Jonathan Jones described Frieze as “a graveyard of creativity for tasteless one percenters”. Ouch, but yeah. With a prohibitive entry price that seems more geared towards keeping the public out, London art lovers have a love hate relationship with the leading fair, but it continues to draw in the biggest and most successful galleries and artists from across the globe. Go see for yourself, if you don’t mind parting with a tidy sum to get through the gates. Or you could save your cash and just browse the beautiful Frieze Sculpture exhibition in Regent’s Park instead.
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   Just moments away, StART art fair (8-13 October) has moved into a new home in King’s Cross, after a decade at the Saatchi Gallery. A slightly less intense and more experimental, primarily artist-led affair, StART promises ‘an uplifting experience that celebrates art and creativity’. Look out for highlight exhibitions including photographer Rick Guest’s Holy Relics, incredible photography of objects that have shaped history. Plus mural work from South African photographer Justin Dingwall and enigmatic sculpture from Wells Tempest.

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   Minor Attractions (8-13 October). Now, this one is proper fun! In its second year, with a younger and more vibrant feel than some of the more established fairs, Minor Attractions takes over the Mandrake Hotel for the week. Global galleries line up with non-profit art spaces and the fair is designed as a space where art and nightlife meet.

5. 1:54 (10-13 October) is the first and only international fair dedicated to contemporary African art, taking its name from the fifty-four countries of the African continent. Located at Somerset House, this year the fair includes a spotlight on Brazilian, Morroccan and Ghanaian artists.

    

• Author Name: Paul English