What's
Art-pening?
October is an electrifying month for the art scene, not just in London but also in Athens, as both cities come alive with world-class exhibitions and fairs, each showcasing a diverse array of artistic expressions.
aRT fAIRS
Frieze London & Frieze Masters
(October 9-13, 2024)
Held in the stunning setting of Regent's Park, Frieze London is a leading contemporary art fair that showcases groundbreaking works from 160 top galleries globally. Running alongside it, Frieze Masters will transport you through time with masterpieces spanning ancient to modern art. Be sure to check out Frieze Sculpture, a free outdoor display that extends until October 27, perfect for enjoying art while wandering the park.
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair
(October 10-13, 2024)
Held at the historic Somerset House, 1:54 celebrates the dynamic and diverse contemporary art scene from Africa and its diaspora. Expect a powerful showcase of emerging and established artists, offering a chance to explore a wide range of creative voices.
Focus Art Fair
(October 10-13, 2024)
This innovative fair at the Saatchi Gallery dives deep into themes of sustainability, equality, and digital innovation. Focus Art Fair brings together emerging global artists and established galleries, featuring interactive digital installations and collaborations with major brands like Roche Bobois, which will unveil its Bamboo Mood Collection.
Art Fair
(October 17-20, 2024)
For those looking to start or expand their art collection without splurging, head to Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park. With a range of contemporary works priced between £50 and £7,500, this fair is designed to make art accessible to everyone, whether you're a seasoned collector or just getting started.
London oct 24
Francis Bacon: Human Presence
-
National Portrait Gallery
-
October 10, 2024 – January 19, 2025
Explore Bacon's raw and emotional portraits, featuring over 50 works, including self-portraits and paintings of close friends and lovers, delving into the artist's unique take on human vulnerability and power
​
Ghost and Spirit
-
Tate Modern
-
October 3, 2024 – March 9, 2024
The first major UK exhibition of Mike Kelley, showcasing his provocative installations, videos, and performances that challenge societal norms through pop culture references.
​
Expressionists: Kandinsky, Münter and The Blue Rider
-
Tate Modern
-
Until October 20, 2025
The exhibition explores the work of The Blue Rider group, a collective of artists led by Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter, who aimed to revolutionize modern art in the early 20th century. The exhibition, hosted by the Tate, presents over 130 works of art—including paintings, sculptures, and photography—brought together in the UK for the first time in over 60 years, in collaboration with the Lenbachhaus Museum in Munich.
Marina Abramović: Retrospective
-
Royal Academy of Arts
-
Until January 1, 2025
A retrospective of the pioneering performance artist Marina Abramović, highlighting her most iconic and provocative works that challenge the limits of body and mind.
ATHENS OCT 24
-
National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST)
-
Ongoing - November 10,2024
​This compelling exhibition features a diverse selection of contemporary artworks by female artists, engaging with critical themes of gender and power dynamics in society. It invites viewers to reconsider societal structures and the potential for a world reshaped by female leadership and perspectives. The exhibition includes a range of media and approaches, reflecting the varied experiences and insights of women in the contemporary art scene
​​
SYMPOSIUM: Other-Than-Statecraft - Closing symposium of the exhibition "Statecraft (and Beyond)"
​
-
National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST)
-
Ongoing - November 10,2024
The closing event of the Statecraft exhibition: the Other-Than-Statecraft performative symposium. This unique gathering brings together artists, curators, academics, and activists to explore how art intersects with emancipatory politics, technology, and law. The aim is to rethink and reclaim the tools of statecraft to confront global issues like rising authoritarianism, precarity, and climate crisis.
-
Museum of Cycladic Art:
-
Ongoing- November 4,2024
This exhibition showcases Cindy Sherman's early iconic self-portraits, which are pivotal in understanding her exploration of identity and the role of media representation in shaping public perception. Through her carefully staged photographs, Sherman critiques societal norms regarding femininity, celebrity, and the construction of identity. The exhibition provides insight into her artistic evolution and the impact of her work on contemporary art, highlighting her ability to challenge the viewer's assumptions about identity and self-presentation​