Frieze London 2023: Four must-see booths

Frieze Art Fair serves as a mesmerising journey into the heart of contemporary creativity. Every year, the art world converges at London’s Regent's Park, showcasing world-renowned galleries and artists. Among the bustling walkways, amid artists engaging in insightful conversations, we set out to discover both established and emerging artists pushing the boundaries of contemporary painting.

From Harlesden High Street to Sprüth Magers, here are four of the best booths we visited at the fair.

Harlesden High Street 

Harlesden High Street, Frieze London 2023. Photo Courtesy of Linda Nylind/Frieze

Harlesden High Street’s booth stood out for its vast canvases and unapologetic diversity. The gallery, which lies in the heart of NW10, provides a recognisable and commendable bridge between avant-garde expressions of experimental and outsider artists who may have not usually ended up with the regular art world of London. The lack of convention in this work was attractive and stimulating to the eye. This was Harlesden’s first year of participation with the presentation of works by Mattia Guarnera-MacCarthy, Hamed Maiye and David Liebe Hart.

At first glance, the compositions and colour palettes of the dual performing artists are seemingly beyond different showing no link between their works, but as the viewer starts to see the replication of the set of The Junior Christian Teaching Bible Lesson Show we see how their paintings not only play part of the stage for puppets and live shows, but radiate character, strength and history.

Two enigmatic canvases draped in the depths of velvety blacks and midnight blues emerge as compelling, evil young characters on the left-hand side of the stage. A mysterious interplay of shadows and secrets, amidst this chiaroscuro the vibrant works of Mattia Guarnera-MacCarthy burst forward. His palette, an opulent spectrum of lighter, brighter strokes, dances harmoniously, engaging in compelling dialogue.

Adham Faramawy: And these deceitful waters (2023)

Adham Faramawy, Frieze Artist Award at Frieze London 2023. Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy of Linda Nylind / Frieze.

Adham, this year’s Frieze Artist award winner, had visitors queuing up to get a seat on wooden tree trunks repurposed as benches. We too down to immerse ourselves into the world of Faramawy through his video and sculptural assemblage examining everything the Thames. This three-person dance piece partnered with extremely well thought out music and spoken world was a poignant exploration into various political and environmental issues through the Thames. 'And these deceitful waters,' intricately weaves together the threads of mythology, history, and societal reflection. Shot against the breath-taking backdrop of the Thames, this award-winning creation harmonises archival footage and live performances to explore the ecological implications of water intertwined with the narratives of imperialism.

By delving into the symbolism and fluidity of water, Faramawy provocatively challenges conventional borders and national narratives. The narrative dissolves the demarcations between personal experiences and societal dynamics, urging viewers to re-evaluate their understanding of interconnectedness and collective responsibility within the world.

Beyond the artistic realm, Faramawy's work extends into the practical domain, exemplifying his dedication to making a tangible difference. The artist has thoughtfully directed the proceeds from the sale of associated two-part prints created for Frieze towards supporting the Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers. This gesture underscores Faramawy's commitment to translating artistic expression into meaningful action, amplifying the impact of his art beyond the confines of the gallery.

Knust Kunz Gallery Editions – Munich 

Knust Kunz Gallery Editions at Frieze London 2023. © Official Instagram account: knustkunzgallery

The Knust Kunz Gallery Edition booth served as a portal into a world where traditional boundaries blur and the avant-garde thrives. Each piece showcased was a testament to the symbiosis of tradition and innovation. The gallery presented a choreography of colours, textures, shapes and concepts converging in harmonious discord, carefully curated to challenge preconceptions and evoke strong emotions.
Founded in 1982, Knust Kunz Gallery Editions collaborates with artists such as Georg Baselitz, Per Kirkeby, A.R. Penck, Markus Lüpertz, Jörg Immendorff, and Imi Knoebel.

Highlights at this booth included Erwin Wurm’s four new multiples based on his ‘One Minute Sculptures’ series and consisting of cut-out figures frozen in a moment of protest. Other striking work on display included Monica Bonvinci’s ‘I Cannot Hide My Anger I’ (2022), a screen print on canvas, and stunning artworks from Georg Baselitz's Farewell Bill (2013) series, made in homage to Willem de Kooning.

Sprüth Magers