Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Frieze London decided to go mild this year. I don’t know why. It just lacked spirit and adventure, and very few things made a strong impression or impact. It was just tame. A slight positive was that the fair was well-ventilated for the first time ever.
Regardless, here are my top 10 highlights:
Wangari Mathenge, A Day of Rest (Kemunto, Mary and Sarah II), 2023, oil on tea stained canvas (Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, stand G19)
Cece Philips at Peres Projects (stand D15)
Leilah Babirye at Stephen Friedman Gallery (stand B3)
Celia Paul at Victoria Miro (stand C18)
Nari Ward, Restin’ Our Heart, 2023, copper sheet, copper nails, and darkening patina (Lehmann Maupin, stand F2)
Barbara Chase-Riboud, Standing Black Woman of Venice series, 1969-2020, black bronze (Hauser & Wirth, stand D5)
Kibong Rhee, Where You Stand E-3, 2022, acrylic and polyester fiber on canvas (Kukje Gallery, stand B9)
Benjamin Senior at Carl Freedman Gallery (stand A1)
Richard Prince, Danger Nurse at Work, 2002, inkjet print and acrylic on canvas (Sadie Coles HQ, stand F1)
Kira Freije, vocabulary of ruin and the divine wound, 2023, stainless steel, cast aluminium, silk, velvet, wool, cigarette (The Approach, stand C4)
Frieze Art Fair runs until 15 October 2023 at Regent’s Park, https://www.frieze.com/
Nigel Ip 
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