And we’re back. After a pause on live events through the first year of the COVID pandemic, Frieze is returning to the city where it was founded with two in person art fairs. The excitement for a fully-fledged Frieze Week is palpable. Museums and galleries are hosting unmissable shows, and at hotels, bars and restaurants, the city is primed to celebrate like it’s... 2019 (or the last time before anyone heard about the novel coronavirus). While we all relish the prospect of getting back to normal, we might also ask ‘what’s normal’? As we celebrate our coming back together for Frieze London and Frieze Masters, in this issue we also highlight some ideas for what we want to do with the world we’re re-inhabiting: from championing diversity (p.20), to addressing climate change (p.14), platforming young talents (p.16) and saluting pioneers (p.60). Our cover image, by Gareth McConnell shows a blossom growing in the fairs’ setting of the Regent’s Park, looking gorgeously fragile. I take it as a reminder to look at beauty, but also to do another, related thing: care.
—Matthew McLean, Creative Lead, Frieze Studios
