Fair Play Debuts as Artist-Only Satellite Fair Near Frieze London
During Frieze week, a new artist-centric fair named Fair Play debuted at One Marylebone, a converted church in London, spanning two levels. Unlike traditional fairs, it features only individual artist booths without galleries, functioning similarly to a gallery by offering exhibition space, connecting artists with collectors, and taking a 50% commission (including VAT) on sales. Of the 70 artists showcased, most were chosen through an open call by a panel of curators and creative directors, with an application fee of £84 that included two tickets to the fair, but no cost for the stands. Artists managed their own logistics, curation, and pricing, with many participating in a fair for the first time. The private view on Thursday attracted over 3,000 guests, which founder Ryan Stanier hailed as his best opening night, drawing on his experience from The Other Art Fair. Although Friday morning buzzed with activity, sales were sluggish; many artists had yet to make sales but remained hopeful. London artist Lea Rose Kara sold two wall sculptures on opening night—one to a returning collector for £300 and a larger piece to a new buyer for £3,200. Cornwall sculptor Eleanor Turnbull received multiple commission inquiries. Most artworks were priced in the three to four-figure range. The fair emphasized a buy-now philosophy, featuring a nearby wrapping and shipping station. It is the nearest satellite event to Frieze London.
Key facts
- Fair Play launched as an artist-first satellite fair during Frieze week in London.
- The fair is held at One Marylebone, a repurposed church, across two floors.
- It hosts only individual artist stands, cutting out galleries.
- Fair Play takes a 50% cut (including VAT) of any sales.
- 70 artists exhibited, most selected by a committee of curators and creative directors via an open call.
- Application fee was £84, including two fair tickets, with no stand cost.
- Private view drew over 3,000 attendees, according to founder Ryan Stanier.
- Most artists reported no sales, but Lea Rose Kara sold two sculptures for £300 and £3,200.
Entities
Artists
- Ryan Stanier
- Lea Rose Kara
- Eleanor Turnbull
- John Soane
- Curtis Holder
- Charlotte Mei
- Seana Gavin
- Robert Montgomery
- Massimiliano Tonelli
- Alec Cumming
- Alexandra Diez de Rivera
- Alison McKenna
- Amelia Badenoch
- Andrea Tyrimos
- Anna McNeil
- Anton Byrne-Carter
- Barbara Kuebel
- Calder MacKay
- Coco Hewitt
- Daisy Billowes
- Ditte Blohm
- Edyta
- Erin Bird
- Fei Alexeli
- Fujiko Rose
- Gavin Dobson
- Georgie McEwan
- Geraldine Swayne
- Ghalia AbdulJawad
- Gina Soden
- Ines Fernandez de Cordova
- James Dearlove
- Jeannine Close
- Jennifer Nieuwland
- Jo Chate
- Jozef Michalski
- Kirsty Bell
- Kwinnie Lê
- Laetitzia Campbell
- Lawrence Meju
- Leily Moghtader Mojdehi
- Li Ramet
- Lindsay Mapes
- Lisa King
- Marcelina Amelia
- Marcus Aitken
- Marilyn Clark
- Marina Priyomova
- Mark Stuart Powell
- Nazanin Moradi
- Neal Camilleri
- Nicolás Villamizar
- Orlando Seale
- Patrick Morales-Lee
- Poppy Lennox
- Ralph Lazar
- Roxana Hartmann
- Sabrina Brouwers
- Sachiyo Nishimura
- Scarlett Bowman
- Shelly Pamensky
- Shirin Fathi
- Soozy Lipsey
- Steve McPherson
- Sunju Jin
- Susan Rocklin
- Tim Noble
- Yasser Claud-Ennin
- Kate Bryan
- Jo Baring
- Lison Sabrina Musset
- Sara McKinnon
Institutions
- Fair Play
- Frieze London
- The Other Art Fair
- The Art Newspaper
- Saatchi Art
- One Marylebone
- Holy Trinity church
- Frieze
- Artribune
- Fair Play Art Fair
- Saatchi Gallery
- Soho House
- The Ingram Collection of Modern British & Contemporary Art
- Buchanan Studio
- The Collective Makers
- Sky Arts
- John Ruskin Prize
- The Art Office
- Flint PR
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- One Marylebone
- Cornwall
- Regent's Park
- New York
- United States
- Los Angeles
- Sydney
- Australia
- Melbourne
- Dallas
- Chicago
- South Korea
- Iran
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- West Africa