Frieze London 2021: Focus Section Shines, Art Publishing Fades
Frieze London 2021 opened with a pre-pandemic vibe, attracting a high-quality crowd despite ongoing health protocols. Major galleries like David Zwirner, Thaddaeus Ropac, and Hauser & Wirth presented cautious, commercial booths, while fireworks were left to Frieze Masters across Regent's Park. The Focus section, dedicated to emerging galleries and independent projects, stood out with high-level presentations, notably from Austrian galleries. A notable trend was the near disappearance of art publishing stands, with only four or five magazine booths present. The fair featured recommended booths including Carl Freedman, Eigen+Art, Timothy Taylor, James Cohan, Lorcan O'Neill, The Modern Institute, Gagosian, Sadie Coles HQ, and Tanja Wagner.
Key facts
- Frieze London 2021 occurred alongside Frieze Masters in Regent's Park.
- David Zwirner sold all works in a cabinet of new pieces by Michael Borremans on the first day.
- The Focus section was noted for its high quality, especially from Austrian galleries.
- Art publishing stands were reduced to four or five at the fair.
- Nine recommended booths included Carl Freedman, Eigen+Art, Timothy Taylor, James Cohan, Lorcan O'Neill, The Modern Institute, Gagosian, Sadie Coles HQ, and Tanja Wagner.
- Masks were optional in the UK, with only Italian attendees strictly following rules.
- Entry checks and green passes were efficiently managed with few queues.
- The fair had a good flow of visitors but not the crowds of pre-pandemic times.
Entities
Artists
- Michael Borremans
Institutions
- David Zwirner
- Thaddaeus Ropac
- Hauser & Wirth
- Carl Freedman
- Eigen+Art
- Timothy Taylor
- James Cohan
- Lorcan O'Neill
- The Modern Institute
- Gagosian
- Sadie Coles HQ
- Tanja Wagner
- Artribune
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Regent's Park