As Frieze Week returned to London, The Standard, London once again became a hub for conversation, creativity and cultural exchange. Alongside the energy of the city's fairs, exhibitions and openings, two special talks offered audiences the opportunity to hear directly from artists shaping contemporary painting today.
The week began with Mary Stephenson in conversation with Louise Benson, Editor-in-Chief of Ocula, as part of our ongoing partnership with the leading contemporary art platform. Raised in Islington, Stephenson reflected on growing up in London, navigating a late transition from advertising to full-time artist, and how memory, grief and a sense of place continue to inform her practice. Discussing the quiet interiors and everyday scenes that populate her paintings, she explored how absence can become a powerful presence, inviting viewers to bring their own experiences and emotions into the work.
To close the week, the art world gathered a little higher above the city as ArtReview hosted a Frieze Week celebration at Sweeties. Bringing together artists, collectors, curators, gallerists and friends of the magazine, the evening offered a fitting conclusion to a week defined by conversation and connection. Against panoramic skyline views, guests enjoyed drinks courtesy of Hennessy and Belvedere, toasting another memorable chapter in London's cultural calendar.
From thoughtful dialogue in The Library Lounge to late-night celebrations at Sweeties, Frieze Week at The Standard, London was a reminder that the most memorable moments often happen beyond the fair itself, in the conversations, encounters and communities that continue long after the week is over.
Listen back to both Standard Talks via Sometimes Radio
