2025 will mark the 22nd anniversary of Frieze, almost a quarter of a century of being the most important date in London’s art calendar. It’s inception marked how far the city had come in the preceding ten years, with the expansion and growing significance its contemporary art market. This peak now feels long past. London is no doubt still one of the most important art cities in the world, but amongst stagnating auction results, galleries shutting down and artists being priced out of the city – does it really feel like that?
This malaise has been reflected in the fair itself. Last year the edition was preceded with talk of slumping sales following a run of several poor editions, with catty press sticking the knife in and attendees chatter focusing on what a snooze it had become. However, the 2024 edition promised a freshness and in a sense it delivered. Billy Childish painting live, more diverse mediums and a new layout did go someway into showing there was life in the old girl yet.
But then there was the question of ownership, which when first reported seemed to suggest major upheaval. As it has happened the £200 million sale to former Endevour CEO Ari Emanuel, with most of the leadership of the fair staying in place, seems to suggest reform over revolution. The only major change, not linked to the sale, is the departure of Frieze Masters Director Nathan Clements-Gillispie for Emanuela Tarizzo. New blood may freshen up the Master’s, which was certainly feeling familiar to frequent visitors last year.
What is the role for Frieze in 2025 then? Surely to rally around a battered and bruised London art society – either through excellence or eye rolls.
Press Release Notes:
Frieze London and Frieze Masters will return to The Regent’s Park, London from 15 to 19 October 2025 bringing together over 280 galleries operating in 45 countries. This year’s fairs will put a strong emphasis on artists and curated programming, reaffirming the city’s cultural leadership on the global stage.
Together, Frieze London and Frieze Masters will celebrate the capital’s defining role as a centre of artistic exchange, shaped by deep expertise across time and geographies and its longstanding position as a meeting point for cultures and ideas. With unmatched international and creative reach, the fairs will once again showcase the best of historic and contemporary art, with a continued focus on artistic discovery, curatorial innovation and an engaging visitor experience.
Frieze London and Frieze Masters are supported by global lead partner Deutsche Bank for the 22nd consecutive year, continuing a shared commitment to artistic excellence. At this year’s fairs Deutsche Bank will present the work of Noémie Goudal.
‘We’re excited to return to London this October with two fairs that foreground the spirit of discovery at the heart of Frieze,’ said Kristell Chadé (Executive Director of Fairs, Frieze). ‘For her first edition as Director, Emanuela Tarizzo brings deep expertise to Frieze Masters, which will present an unparalleled range of iconic artworks and objects. Meanwhile, Eva Langret continues to shape Frieze London with her bold vision, offering audiences radical presentations and unexpected programming. Together, the fairs reaffirm Frieze Week as an unmissable moment in the cultural calendar, where historical and contemporary art come into powerful dialogue.’
Eva Langret (Director, Frieze EMEA) added: “Frieze London this year deepens our commitment to artists shaping the future of contemporary art, and continues to foreground practices that challenge, inspire and expand how we think about art today. Drawing on the spirit of London’s restless creative pulse —championing bold ideas and setting the pace for curatorial innovation—the fair reinforces the city’s status as a globally recognised centre of contemporary culture.’
Emanuela Tarizzo (Director, Frieze Masters) said: ‘It’s a privilege to lead Frieze Masters into this next chapter. From ancient art to 20th-century icons, the fair will showcase works that speak across time and place, inviting collectors and audiences to discover the depth, beauty and power of art history. I’m excited to welcome visitors to an edition shaped by both history and fresh perspectives.’
FRIEZE LONDON
At Frieze London, recognised for convening the world’s foremost galleries and leading contemporary artists, serves as an international platform for ambitious programming and critical engagement. This year’s edition will feature curated sections including the celebrated Artist-to-Artist initiative and the themed section, Echoes in the Present. For the second year visitors will encounter specially selected presentations at the fair entrance; this year the featured galleries are Portas Vilaseca, The Pit and Soft Opening.
With over 160 galleries operating in 44 countries, Frieze London 2025 includes 58 London-based exhibitors—galleries that define the city’s cultural landscape both locally and internationally: The Approach, Arcadia Missa, Carlos/Ishikawa, Sadie Coles HQ, Corvi-Mora, Thomas Dane Gallery, Emalin, Frith Street Gallery, Herald St, Hollybush Gardens, Alison Jacques, Josh Lilley, Lisson Gallery, Kate MacGarry, Modern Art, Maureen Paley, Richard Saltoun Gallery, Seventeen, Soft Opening, Stephen Friedman Gallery, The Sunday Painter, Tiwani Contemporary, Union Pacific and Victoria Miro.
Leading international galleries at the fair include blank, Fortes D’Aloia & Gabriel, Gagosian, Goodman Gallery, Galerie Max Hetzler, Gallery Hyundai, Taka Ishii Gallery, Jahmek Contemporary Art, Tina Kim Gallery, Kukje Gallery, Kurimanzutto, Lehmann Maupin, Pace Gallery, Perrotin, Almine Rech, Thaddaeus Ropac, Esther Schipper, Sprüth Magers, Stevenson, Michael Werner Gallery, White Cube and David Zwirner.
Artist-to-Artist
Artist-to-Artist returns as a cornerstone of the fair’s artist-led programme with six solo presentations, each selected by a world-renowned artist. Now in its third iteration, the section reflects the fair’s longstanding commitment to artistic exchange and peer-to-peer recognition across its global network. Each nominator is known for championing new voices, reinforcing the role of artists as advocates and collaborators.
This year, Artist-to-Artist will feature Ilana Harris-Babou (Dreamsong) nominated by Camille Henrot, Katherine Hubbard (Company Gallery) nominated by Nicole Eisenman, Ana Segovia (Kurimanzutto) nominated by Abraham Cruzvillegas, Neal Tait (Lungley Gallery) nominated by Chris Ofili, René Treviño (Erin Cluley Gallery) nominated by Amy Sherald and T. Venkanna (Gallery Maskara) nominated by Bharti Kher.
Curated Section: Echoes in the Present
Echoes in the Present, curated by Dr. Jareh Das, an independent curator working between the UK and West Africa, will explore the profound connections between artists from Brazil, Africa, and their diasporas. These ties are shaped by shared histories marked by the forced movement of African people across the Atlantic, and by ongoing cultural exchange. Bringing together a range of contemporary practices, Echoes in the Present will explore heritage, innovation, and speculative futures. Its narratives engage with the intricate relationships between land, material, and memory, an embedded materiality shaped by philosophical inquiry and transcending geographic boundaries.
The section will feature artists – among them Bunmi Agusto (Tafeta), Serigne Mbaye Camara (Galerie Atiss Dakar), Diambe (Simões de Assis), Mélinda Fourn and Naomi Lulendo (Selebe Yoon), Lilianne Kiame and Sandra Poulson (Jahmek Contemporary), Aline Motta (Mitre Galeria), Alberto Pitta (Nara Roesler) and Tadáskía (Fortes D’Aloia & Gabriel) – who examine the complex relationships between land, matter and memory.
Focus
Frieze’s long-standing section dedicated to fostering a community of young galleries up to 12 years old is this year advised by Joumana Asseily (Founder, Marfa’), Piotr Drewko (Founder, Wschód) and Cédric Fauq (Chief Curator, CAPC Musée d’art Contemporain de Bordeaux). Focus will feature numerous new spaces this year that explore the vibrant international scene of young galleries: a. Squire, Bombon, Coulisse, Cylinder, Gathering, Kayokoyuki, Eli Kerr and King’s Leap.
Returning to the Focus section are El Apartamento, Gallery Artbeat, Brunette Coleman, Clima, diez, Rose Easton, Franz Kaka, Gianni Manhattan, Ginny on Frederick, Gypsum, Harlesden High Street, Hot Wheels, Galerie Noah Klink, Llano, Madragoa, Marfa’, Nicoletti, palace enterprise, Petrine, Public, Sophie Tappeiner, Gallery Vacancy, Wschód and Xxijra Hii.
Editions
Featuring limited-edition artworks created by leading international artists, Editions creates opportunities for new audiences to collect at affordable prices. Participants in 2025 include Borch Editions, Cristea Roberts Gallery, Knust Kunz Gallery Editions, Paragon and STPI.
FRIEZE MASTERS
At Frieze Masters, where six millennia of art come into dialogue – from rare antiquities and major European paintings to modern icons and contemporary voices – an artist-centred curatorial approach remains at the core, with the return of the much-celebrated Studio and Spotlight sections, joined this year by Reflections, a new initiative encouraging connections across time, media and context.
With over 120 galleries operating in 26 countries, Frieze Masters 2025 reaffirms its status as a destination for historical works of art, from collectible objects to museum-quality works, spanning painting, sculpture and the decorative arts. This year’s edition brings together a respected selection of leading galleries, including Åmells Konsthandel, ArtAncient, Charles Ede, Lullo Pampoulides, Sam Fogg, Stephen Friedman Gallery, Richard Green, Johnny Van Haeften, Hauser & Wirth, Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert, Annely Juda Fine Art, Ortuzar, Pace Gallery, Salon 94, Richard Saltoun Gallery, Skarstedt, Tomasso, Axel Vervoordt, Waddington Custot, Offer Waterman and Adam Williams Fine Art.
Frieze Masters also continues to provide a platform for specialist galleries to present rare and lesser-known works. This year sees a strong contingent of experts in Old Masters and decorative arts including Salomon Lilian, Koetser Gallery, Peter Finer, Robilant+Voena, Didier Aaron, Colnaghi, De Jonckheere and Raccanello & Leprince; Asian art including Carlton Rochell Asian Art, Francesca Galloway, Tenzing Asian Art, Thomsen Gallery, Michael Goedhuis, Shibunkaku, Grosvenor Gallery, Johyun Gallery and Jhaveri Contemporary; and rare books and manuscripts including Daniel Crouch Rare Books, Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books and Shapero Rare Books / Shapero Modern.
The line-up includes a dozen first-time participants including Art Exposure, Champ Lacombe, Galeria Francisco Fino, Galerie Mikael Andersen, Galerie Mueller, Jahn und Jahn, Jeremy Scholar, Joost van den Bergh, Luisa Strina, Vito Schnabel Gallery and Zürcher Gallery.
Many galleries return to Frieze Masters after a pause, including Kallos Gallery, Ambrose Naumann Fine Art, Otto Naumann, Salon 94, Schoelkopf Gallery, Gallery Moshe Tabibnia, Tomasso, Venus Over Manhattan, Rupert Wace and The Weiss Gallery.
Studio
The celebrated Studio section, curated by Sheena Wagstaff (Chair Emerita, Modern and Contemporary Art, The Met) and Margrethe Troensegaard (Studio Assistant Curator), returns for the third iteration. This section is based on the idea that the studio can be seen as a time machine. It is a unique place of making where the artist works at the rim of the vast terrain of past cultures: a space in which historical memory lights a spark of invention, which manifests in objects that look to the future.
This year’s lineup features solo presentations by singular artists Dorothy Cross (Frith Street Gallery), Anju Dodiya (Vadehra Art Gallery), Samia Halaby (Sfeir-Semler Gallery), R. H. Quaytman (Miguel Abreu Gallery) and Anne Rothenstein (Stephen Friedman Gallery).
Spotlight
Spotlight will feature solo presentations by 20th-century artists, curated by Valerie Cassel Oliver (Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts). The section highlights both under-recognised figures and lesser-known works by established artists, with a focus on the period from the 1950s to the 1970s. Artists featured this year include Alice Adams (Zürcher Gallery), Novera Ahmed (Jhaveri Contemporary), Helena Almeida (Galeria Francisco Fino), Marina Apollonio (10 A.M. Art), Janice Biala (Berry Campbell), John Carter (Champ Lacombe), Ha Bik Chuen (Rossi & Rossi), Robert Coutelas (Loeve&Co), Amitava Das (Art Exposure), Agustin Fernandez (Jeremy Scholar), Eleonore Koch (Almeida & Dale), Sonja Ferlov Mancoba (Galerie Mikael Andersen), Madge Gill (The Gallery of Everything), Dorothy Antoinette “Toni” Laselle (Inman Gallery), Iria Leino (Harper’s), Bertina Lopes (Richard Saltoun Gallery), Nalini Malani (Volte Gallery), Titina Maselli (Secci), Cildo Meireles (Galatea & Luisa Strina), István Nádler (Einspach & Czapolai Fine Art), Teresa Roza d’Oliveira (Perve Galeria), Mona Saudi (Lawrie Shabibi), Sonja Sekula (Galerie Mueller), Prince Twins Seven-Seven (kó) and Kenji Yoshida (October Gallery), among others.
Reflections
Reflections is an invite-only section curated by Abby Bangser (Founder and Creative Director, Object & Thing). The section will be inspired by two of the most iconic collections of objects in the world, Sir John Soane’s Museum on Lincoln’s Inn Fields (London, UK); and Kettle’s Yard (Cambridge, UK), the former home of curator and scholar Jim Ede.
FRIEZE WEEK
During Frieze Week in October, major institutional exhibitions will take place throughout the city, drawing audiences from around the globe. Highlights include ‘Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World’ at National Portrait Gallery; ‘Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley – THE LACK: I KNEW YOUR VOICE BEFORE YOU SPOKE’ and ‘Peter Doig: House of Music’ at Serpentine Gallery; ‘Egypt: Influencing British Design 1775- 2025’ at Sir John Soane’s Museum; ‘Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES’ at the Hayward Gallery; ‘Kiefer / Van Gogh’ and ‘Kerry James Marshall: The Histories’ at the Royal Academy of Arts; ‘Lee Miller’ at Tate Britain; ‘Nigerian Modernism’ at Tate Modern; and ‘Wayne Thiebaud: American Still Life’ at The Courtauld.
Frieze’s No.9 Cork Street will host international galleries from South and Central Asia and the Middle East. On show from 10 – 25 October will be presentations from Vadehra Gallery, exhibiting work by Zaam Arif curated by Ben Broome; Hafez Gallery from Saudi Arabia, showing paintings by Cairo-based artist Ibrahim El Dessouki; and a group show by Artwin Gallery of artists from Central Asia.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Frieze London and Frieze Masters curated programmes will include special projects and activations, including the return of the Frieze London Artist Award and celebrated Frieze Masters Talks, alongside collaborations with key UK arts organisations and public institutions. Frieze Sculpture, the celebrated public art initiative curated by Fatoş Üstek (Independent Curator & Writer), will coincide with the two fairs and run 17 September – 2 November 2025 in The Regent’s Park’s English Gardens.
Deutsche Bank will present the work of Noémie Goudal, whose practice spans photography, film, installation and sculpture, challenging our perceptions and understanding of the natural world in an exhibition of her work in their lounges at Frieze London & Masters.
Bloomberg Connects returns for a second year as the Official Digital Guide for Frieze Sculpture. The free digital guide – available on the Bloomberg Connects app – will offer exclusive content including an audio tour of the display, narrated by curator Fatoş Üstek and the participating artists. The multimedia guide invites the public to learn more about the artists, works and performances, enriching the audience experience of Frieze Sculpture throughout its display from September to November.
To keep up to date on all the latest news from Frieze, sign up to the newsletter at frieze.com and follow Frieze on Instagram and Facebook.
Frieze London & Masters will run from 15th to the 19th of October 2025. Tickets available soon.
Image: Photography by © Julio Etchart from Frieze 2023
Ruth O’Sullivan is a writer and curator. Her work explores the impact of digital technologies on contemporary art practices and challenging gender disparity within the visual arts.
