A curator’s guide to London
Fatoş Üstek, the curator of Frieze Sculpture, on the galleries to explore, young artists to know and restaurants to book
Fatoş Üstek is one of the most influential names in contemporary art. Over the past 20 years, the Turkish-born, London-based curator has worked on prestigious exhibitions, biennials and festivals around the world; written regularly for magazines, exhibition catalogues and academic publications; and commissioned cutting-edge artists for the public realm.
In 2020 she sat on the jury panel for the Turner Prize and in 2021 co-founded FRANK Fair Artist Pay, a not-for-profit that focusses on fair practice in the arts, specifically in the UK. In 2023 she was appointed the curator of Frieze Sculpture, a much-loved free outdoor art exhibition in London’s Regent’s Park.
Coinciding with Frieze London and Frieze Masters, this year’s edition (until 27 October) is bigger and bolder than ever before. It brings together works by 22 artists, including such celebrated names as Leonora Carrington, Theaster Gates and Yoshitomo Nara.
To celebrate the opening of the 12th edition, I sat down with Üstek to discuss her curatorial vision, her favourite London hotspots and her top tips for navigating the busiest week in the art world calendar…
Hi Fatoş. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. I’m absolutely thrilled! Let’s dive right in. What do you love most about Frieze Week?
It has to be the heightened attention to contemporary art with genuine intention for engagement and dialogue.
Congratulations on the opening of this year’s Frieze Sculpture! Can you tell me about your vision for the 12th edition?
I wanted to work with artistic practices that engage with the expanded notion of sculpture, as well as with artists who question, challenge and interrogate what sculpture is today and how it diversifies itself from the everyday corporeal experiences.
What has been your favourite part of curating Frieze Sculpture this year?
Building a new vision for the exhibition, working closely with artists on new commissions, starting a Frieze Sculpture Guides scheme, delivering tours for the wider public, and organising night walks on the autumn solstice are few among many.
Which works should we look out for?
This year’s edition is a strongly knitted exhibition, in which all the works instigate a different viewpoint. The aspirations and artistic practices intersect, collide, and at the same time diverge from each other. There is no possibility of singling one out and leaving others behind.
Where's the best spot for a coffee en route to Frieze Sculpture?
I don’t drink coffee but Caravan on Great Portland Street is lovely.
Which new museum and gallery shows are you most looking forward to?
Haegue Yang: Leap Year (9 October — 5 January) at the Hayward Gallery. I love her work. She’s an old friend and she’s always pushing the envelope.
Nairy Baghramian: Jumbled Alphabet (until 12 January) at South London Gallery. I have followed her practice for many years and am curious to see how she responded to the context and site of the gallery.
Urs Fischer: Scratch & Sniff at Sadie Coles (until 26 October). He always reinvents himself and his practice by introducing new perspectives.
Himali Singh Soin’s performance as part of the Delfina X Alserkal Arts Foundation event (12 PM, 12 October, Westminster Chapel, London).
Lap-See Lam’s solo show at Studio Voltaire (until 15 December) is not to be missed. She is an up and coming artist we will hear more of in the near future!
What’s your in-the-know London culture spot?
It is not easy to just name one, as London has many to offer and each area differs in texture and intensity, but I like visiting Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix whenever I am around the Whitechapel area.
Which young artists should be on our radar this Frieze Week?
Look out for Nika Neelova whose new commission (below) is on display at Frieze Sculpture; all artists in the Smoke section of Frieze, which is curated by my dear friend Pablo Ramirez; and Nissa Nishikawa, whose solo show Cosmogony of Chi is organised by Ainalayn Space.
The London hotel to stay at during Frieze is...
The Beaumont in Mayfair.
What’s your top tip for navigating Frieze Week?
Make sure to drink lots of water, if possible, coconut water, and take rests during the day. Oh, and eat well!
So… what's your go-to restaurant for dinner during Frieze?
Toklas. Also Andrew Edmunds in Soho.
And where’s the best spot to unwind with a cocktail after dark?
Langan’s second floor bar.
What’s the one thing Frieze newbies should do?
Note down all the names they find interesting and start a log of ideas and artworks.
And finally, where’s your favourite arty hotspot in Istanbul...
I don’t go to Istanbul as much as I used to, but I enjoy visiting all the museums and galleries in Taksim, Karakoy and Pangalti whenever I am in town.