Frieze week is finally upon us, and with it comes the tenth annual Frieze Sculpture Park to accompany the world-famous art fair. The outdoor show features 19 international artists including names such as Robert Indiana, Beverly Pepper and Ugo Rondinone, showcasing the global talent of contemporary sculpture artists.
Under quintessentially British rainy skies, Art Republic took a trip to The Regent’s Park, where the exhibition is being held, to experience this annual sculpture trail in person. Curated by Clare Lilley, this exhibition hopes to draw viewers to the capital to experience these works in situ. For two months only, artworks by talented artists become part of the natural landscape, appealing to art lovers and casual park strollers alike. Lilley says of this diverse appeal: “each year I set out to make a show that serves one of the world’s art fairs, as well as those who might never before have considered looking at sculptures.”
John Wood and Paul Harrison, 10 signs for a park, 2022
The temporary gallery space is now home to artworks for a diverse mix of artists, with works by male, female and non-binary artists from countries such as Nigeria, Australia, Israel and more. The director of Frieze London, Eva Langret, spoke about how the outdoor exhibition offers a unique insight into the art world, bringing high art into the public space. "The concept behind [Frieze Sculpture] is really to merge art and nature and to propose an incredible experience for our audiences" says Langret, "we're showing here works that are really made specifically to be enjoyed within the context of nature".
Some of the sculptures succeed in blending into the environment more than others. Paul Harrison and John Wood’s unassuming signs seamlessly disguise themselves in their environment - but their words will make you double take. Eccentric signs decorated with phrases such as ‘These words make a sound in your head’ or ‘Something to look at’ are a wry comment on the messages that are used to regulate the behaviour of the public, playing on the (often irritating) abundance of signs that we experience every day.
Shaikha Al Mazrou, Red Stack, 2022
Other sculptures in the show are less subtle and more monumental. Shaikha Al Mazrou’s Red Stack, 2022 is an overwhelming structure of folded steel which resembles balloons and origami. This bright red sculpture plays on the illusion of weight and space, it is as if these enormous balloon pillows are precariously balanced on top of each other. Taking inspiration from conceptual art and minimalism, Al Mazrou’s large-scale artwork has you staring up at it and into the sky beyond, merging art and nature with ease.
Perhaps the most recognisable sculpture in the show is Robert Indiana’s ‘Imperial LOVE’, a motif that he has regularly returned to over the years. His mirrored ‘LOVE’ artwork is what Indiana calls one of his “one-word poems”. The bold red typography sign stands out powerfully against the lush green surroundings of the park.
Robert Indiana, Imperial LOVE
This year’s Frieze Sculpture show is a fantastic addition to Regent’s Park, allowing art to be celebrated outside of the white walls of galleries, leading it out and into the open air. It succeeds in giving visitors “a snapshot of the fantastic imagination of artists and the variety of sculpture being made today”, as said by Lilley to The New York Times.
Emma Hart, Big Time, 2022
Need some fresh air this autumn? Take a trip to Regent’s park and get a much-needed fill of world-class art. This year’s exhibition is a testament to the need for more sculpture in our parks. Discover more about the exhibition on the Frieze website here. To discover more artworks, head to our Autumn Collection.
