Photo: Amah-Rose Abrams
‘The Asylum’ is based on a concept by Helly Nahmad, designed by Robin Brown, and produced by Anna Pank
Photo: courtesy Helly Nahmad Gallery
Frieze Masters was buzzing on its preview day. Now opening on at the same time as Frieze London, it had more of the frenetic atmosphere usually associated with the main fair than in previous years with visitors keen to enquire and buy.
There is plenty to see—from antiquities and rare books to living artists—and plenty of museum-quality works to buy, sometimes for a fraction of the prices of the contemporary offerings on the other side of Regent’s park.
We have picked out a top ten list of some of the most interesting booths at the fair.
1. Helly Nahmad Gallery, The Asylum
Helly Nahmad has pulled it off again for with an immersive experience evoking the inspiration behind the work of Art Brut’s Jean Dubuffet. From the moment the fair opened at 11am, the stand was filled with people checking out both the intricate installation and Dubuffet’s works it complimented.
Installation view at Acquavella
Photo: Amah-Rose Abrams
2. Acquavella
Aquavella had such an array of master works is was difficult to know where to look first. From Edgar Degas‘s Henri Robart et sa Fille Hélène (1877), Claude Monet‘s Route de Monte Carlo (1883-4) plus works by Pablo Picasso, Lichtenstein, Lucian Freud, and Louise Bourgeois. In a sense, booths like this one are what makes Frieze Masters such a special event—being able to see such works side by side.
Carmen Herrera Orange & Red (1989)
Photo: courtesy Lisson Gallery
3. Lisson Gallery
Lisson chose to feature an exhibition celebrating the work of Carmen Herrera. The stand, most of which is not for sale, features work from throughout her career, from the 1940s through to the 1990s, and a selection of previously unseen drawings.
Gerhard Richter Abstraktes Bild (1990)
Photo: courtesy Richard Green
4. Richard Green
This stand has a wonderful selection of works spanning many eras. From L. S. Lowry, to drawings and sculpture by Henry Moore. You can also see works by Walter Richard Sickert, Paul Nash, Gerhard Richter‘s Abstractes Bild (1990) and there is also a Josef Albers study tucked away next to the Richter.
Sprüth Magers, Frieze Masters 2015, Booth F12, installation view
Photo: © Kris Emmerson
You can rarely go wrong with the work of Jenny Holzer, especially when combined with Cindy Sherman and Rosemarie Trockel, and the Sprüth Magers stand was buzzing with interest regarding the artworks, with many buyers being sent away disappointed as they appeared to be selling like hotcakes.
Alexander Calder at Pace. Installation shot at Frieze Masters
Photo: Amah-Rose Abrams
6. Pace
Pace Gallery have dedicated their entire stand to drawings by Alexander Calder There are usually one or two of his instantly recognizable kinetic sculptures to be seen at the fair but it was refreshing to see a selection of his works on paper which are—as his sculpture is—bright, engaging and uplifting.
Installation view of Hauser & Wirth with Moretti Galleria
Photo: Amah-Rose Abrams
7. Hauser & Wirth with Moretti Galleria
This was always going to be an interesting combination. Seeking to create the best gallery in the world, combining the classic with the modern, these two gallery greats have created a fun and refreshing fair experience with Richard Serra and Francis Picabia shown next to 14th century works by Luca di Tomme.
Egon Schiele at Wienerroither & Kohlbacher
Photo: Amah-Rose Abrams
8. Wienerroither & Kohlbacher
Wienerroither & Kohlbacher are showing a selection of drawing and works on paper by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and some stunning, delicate Gustav Klimts—this is a must see. Not only do the works complement each other in a wonderful way but the Kimts are really something special.
Frank Auerbach J.Y.M Seated II (1996)
Photo: courtesy Marlborough Fine Art
9. Marlborough Fine Art
Marlborough Fine Art have dedicated their entire stand to the work of Frank Auerbach. Auerbach currently has a huge retrospective at Tate Britain which has drawn more attention to his work, and this selection of paintings only serves further to bring put his figurative abstractions in the spotlight.
Master of the San Sisto Antiphonals Choir Book of San Sisto (Benedictine Use) (1460-1480)
Photo: courtesy Frieze Masters
10. Les Enluminures
This French gallery came into a unique collection of rare books and jewelry, and this fascinating stand has rings from as far back as 3 B.C. and a range of beautiful scientific and religious texts. These books are so incredibly rare that the chance to see them up close is probably once in a lifetime.