Press » Releases

FIRST FRIEZE ART FAIR IS A SUCCESS DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2004

Frieze Art Fair, London’s first international contemporary art fair, was successfully launched in Regent’s Park over 4 days, running from 17 – 20 October 2003.

27,700 visitors attended Frieze Art Fair, travelling from all over the world, including major collectors, artists, international museum and gallery directors, media representatives, students, and celebrities from the worlds of fashion, music and cinema.

Matthew Slotover, co-director of Frieze Art Fair said : “Interest in contemporary art in London continues to grow from strength to strength. We are thrilled to be part of this and to have had so much support from the world’s best galleries to bring fresh excitement to London and develop more dialogue with the world’s artistic community.”

Amanda Sharp, co-director of Frieze Art Fair said: “ We are delighted at the overall success of the first Frieze Art Fair. The 124 top contemporary galleries exhibiting and selling works were very positive about the outcome, reporting vigorous sales of works at every price range from £200 to well over £1 million. Now we are planning to concentrate on learning from our experience this year, to make improvements for our exhibitors and our visitors for next year.”

Works by Fikret Atay, Olafur Eliasson, Anri Sala and Yutaka Sone were purchased from the Fair for the Tate Collection from a £100,000 Frieze Art Fair Special Acquisitions Fund, organised by Tate Patron and London collector, Candida Gertler.

The specially commissioned artists’ projects and performances, music programme and talks programme were very well received and attended, and will continue to be an essential element of Frieze Art Fair. Webcasts and transcripts of the wide ranging Talks Programme will be made available through the Frieze Art Fair website www.friezeartfaircom.

Next year’s Frieze Art Fair dates are confirmed to run from Friday 15 – Monday 18 October 2004. The Frieze Art Fair Selection Committee will meet in March 2004 to consider submissions for next year.

27 October 2003

PRESS ENQUIRIES JANE QUINN, BOLTON & QUINN 020 7221 5000