From Tradition to Transformation: Highlights from Frieze London 2024
This year’s Frieze Art Fair London, encompassing both the Frieze Masters and Frieze Sculpture sections, stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of contemporary art, inviting viewers to engage with both the historical and the innovative. Set against the backdrop of Regent’s Park, the fair not only showcases the pinnacle of artistic expression but also fosters a dialogue between different eras and movements.

Frieze Art Fair London 2024

Photo: by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Linda Nylind.

Frieze London & Frieze Masters: Echoes of History
The Frieze London section, featuring 165 galleries from 43 countries, and Frieze Masters section, featuring 130 galleries from 26 countries, serves as a stage for timeless pieces and iconic works of art, blending historical significance with modern relevance. Standouts included Gagosian Gallery showcasing Carol Bove’s works alongside classic minimalist pieces, and Galerie Gisela Capitainunveiling a collection of modernist European works that connect the past to the present.

Carol Bove, presented by Gagosian Gallery, showcased sculptures that fuse crushed, manipulated metal with organic shapes. The pieces offered a dramatic contrast between chaotic and deliberate artistry, exploring the tension between modernity and nature. Bove’s work engaged in a conversation with mid-century modernists, drawing inspiration from figures like Alexander Calder and the industrial strength of minimalist sculpture, reinterpreted here in a postmodern context.

Also making waves in Frieze London was Benedikte Bjerre, presented by Place Enterprise Gallery from Copenhagen. Bjerre’s work engaged in a critical dialogue about consumerism, globalization, and societal infrastructure, featuring her sleek, minimalist sculptures that reflect the cold, commercial realities of our contemporary world. Her installations, with polished surfaces and sharp geometric forms, prompted viewers to reconsider the value and impact of mass-produced objects, as well as their relation to cultural heritage.

Hauser & Wirth, with its Zurich location and international reputation, delivered a memorable experience at Frieze Masters 2024. Their presentation included historically significant pieces, such as works by Philip Guston and Édouard Manet, which emphasized the gallery’s commitment to blending 19th and 20th-century art with a modern sensibility. The gallery's booth showcased a range of evocative paintings and sculptures that highlighted themes of nature and humanity, providing a contrast to the more contemporary installations elsewhere at the fair. This selection underscored Hauser & Wirth's dedication to bridging historical roots and modern perspectives within the context of Frieze.

Édouard Manet

Philip Guston

Place Enterprise Gallery

Hauser & Wirth

Benedikte Bjerre

Gagosian Gallery

Carol Bove’s

Galerie Gisela Capitain

Frieze Art Fair London

Frieze Masters

Frieze Sculpture

Frieze Masters 2024

Photo by Hugo Glendinning. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Hugo Glendinning.

Frieze Masters Sectioin 2024

Photo by Hugo Glendinning. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Hugo Glendinning.

Booth Galerie Gisela Capitain, Sadie Coles HQ, Standard (Oslo) , Frieze Masters Section 2024

Photo by Hugo Glendinning. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Hugo Glendinning.

Booth Gagosian, Frieze Masters Section 2024

Photo by Hugo Glendinning. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Hugo Glendinning.

Booth Gagosian, Frieze London Section 2024, featuring sculpture by Carol Bove.

Photo by Maris Hutchinson. Courtesy of Gagosian Press Ofice and Maris Hutchinson.

Booth Palace Enterprise, Frieze London Section 2024, featuring sculpture by Carol Bove.

Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Linda Nylind.

Booth Hauser and Wirth, Frieze Masters Section 2024

Photo by Hugo Glendinning. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Hugo Glendinning.

Frieze Sculpture: Art in Dialogue with Nature
The Frieze Sculpture section in Regent’s Park provided an immersive experience with 22 curated works by international artists, highlighting environmental themes and technological interactions. The installations included Nathan Coley's "I Don’t Have Another Land," a piece that illuminates reflections on environmental responsibility and belonging.

One of the most innovative additions to Frieze Sculpture came from Libby Heaney, whose immersive public art installation combined digital technology with environmental interaction. Represented by Gazelli Art House, Heaney’s augmented reality (AR) sculptures used viewers’ mobile devices to unlock layers of visual content that merged seamlessly with the physical landscape of Regent’s Park. The installation highlighted Heaney’s expertise in quantum computing and creative coding, offering a futuristic exploration of how art can bridge the gap between the natural and the virtual.

The sculptures, set amid the park’s natural surroundings, created a dialogue between public space, nature, and contemporary art, with works by artists like Frances Goodman and Theresa Chromati.

Theresa Chromati

Frances Goodman

Gazelli Art House

Libby Heaney

Nathan Coley's

Nathan Coley, I Don't Have Another Land, 2022, The Page Gallery. Frieze Sculpture 2024.

Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Linda Nylind..

Libby Heaney, Ent- (non-earthly delights), 2024, Gazelli Art House. Frieze Sculpture 2024..

Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Linda Nylind..

Frances Goodman, Pillar IV and Pillar V, 2024. SPECTA. Frieze Sculpture 2024.

Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Linda Nylind..

Theresa Chromati, steadfast, step into me (allow silence to create the sounds you desire most), 2022. VETA by Fer Francés.

Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Frieze Press Ofice and Linda Nylind..

Emerging Voices and Experimental Practices
Frieze London 2024 offered a platform for emerging talent, with numerous galleries showcasing experimental practices that stretched the boundaries of traditional mediums. Artists exploring innovative themes and fresh perspectives were highlighted, providing a vibrant contrast to established works. For instance, Eva Presenhuber Gallery presented work by Wyatt Kahn, whose pieces combine painting and sculpture, challenging conventional forms with his textural and tactile approach.
The fair remains a significant venue for contemporary art, blending historic influences with modern perspectives. This year’s event successfully bridged the past and present, emphasizing dialogue across time and space, and underscoring Frieze’s commitment to spotlighting both emerging and renowned artists.

Wyatt Kahn

Eva Presenhuber Gallery

Notable Sales and Incidents
At Frieze London 2024, the notable sales narrative saw some significant transactions, though a record-breaking Damien Hirst sculpture sale for £4 million wasn't confirmed. Hirst’s works did feature, including his butterfly pieces with Ben Brown Fine Arts, but prices were reportedly lower, around £350,000 to £450,000.

The fair also spotlighted newer artists like Jammie Holmes and Gina Beavers, each gaining attention for work addressing social themes and personal storytelling, echoing broader movements in contemporary art focused on social issues. Meanwhile, the fair saw environmental activism make an appearance, as minor protests highlighted art's intersection with ecological concerns, underscoring the fair’s relevance as both a commercial and cultural event. Frieze London thus continued its dual role in showcasing both iconic names and emerging voices in today’s art landscape, balancing commercial interests with cultural discourse and evolving trends in artistic expression and activism.

Gina Beavers

Jammie Holmes

Ben Brown Fine Arts

Damien Hirst

Conclusion
The Frieze Art Fair London 2024 stands as a vivid reminder of art's unique ability to engage, challenge, and inspire across time. By offering a space where the boundaries of history and contemporary practice intersect—from the historical resonance of Frieze Masters to the immersive experiences in Frieze Sculpture —the fair not only honors the past but propels viewers to consider the future. This year’s edition continued to reflect Frieze’s commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and environmental consciousness, fostering a multidimensional dialogue that celebrates diverse voices and experimental practices.

In an era increasingly dominated by digital experiences, Frieze London reinforces the enduring relevance of the tangible art experience, reminding audiences of the value of direct engagement with art and culture. With its dynamic blend of tradition and forward-thinking work, Frieze London 2024 set an impressive benchmark for art fairs globally, reflecting the evolving artistic landscape while championing the transformative power of art.