This year's Frieze London and Frieze Masters will not take place this year, it has been announced.
The annual fairs, which take place in Regent's Park at the beginning of October, are among the most important events in the art world calendar and signal a blow to its recovery.
The great and good from major institutions to commercial galleries come together from around the world at the fairs, which are seen by many as one of the best opportunities to the take the temperature of the contemporary art market.
A spokesperson for Frieze said that the decision to cancel this year’s fair was made “in light of continued unprecedented challenges regarding COVID-19,” following an “extended period of consultation”.
In lieu of the festival, an online viewing room will run in October. The spokesperson said they are looking forward to “celebrating Frieze Week throughout London”. Beyond the two fairs, Frieze has also come to refer to the range of arts events and exhibition openings that take place across the city in the same week. Galleries and museums see the first week of October as crucial, knowing that influential art figures will be travelling to London from across the globe.
Frieze was forced to go digital earlier in the year when its New York edition was cancelled in May, replaced with online viewing rooms, talks and 200 galleries taking part.
Last year’s Frieze London brought 160 galleries together from 35 countries to exhibit, making it the most wide-reaching edition to date. Sales on individual pieces were made up to $5 million, with artworks entering both important private and international museum collections. Works by Philip Guston, William Kentridge, Kerry James Marshall and joint-Turner Prize winner Oscar Murillo were among the sales.
