This November, some of the most influential figures in music will come together to celebrate the power of art in mental health support. The event, an exclusive charity auction titled Unseen, will be hosted by Mental Aid, a new charity dedicated to aiding individuals affected by acute mental health challenges. Featuring personal and rare photographs by artists like Nick Cave, members of Arctic Monkeys, Blondie, and many more, this event promises an unparalleled glimpse into the private worlds of legendary musicians. Thunderbird at CBG by Chris Stein Unseen will debut at the renowned Iconic Images Gallery on November 28. Known as the UK’s premier space for music photography, Iconic Images Gallery boasts an archive of rare images of everyone from David Bowie to Audrey Hepburn, making it a historical and vibrant backdrop for this unique charity initiative. Curated in part by acclaimed photographer Tony McGee, the collection spans intimate portraits of bandmates, reflective landscapes, and candid snapshots capturing quiet moments on tour. Art and music enthusiasts alike will be able to place bids on original prints, many of which have never been available to the public. Proceeds will go entirely to Mental Aid’s ongoing programs, which aim to bridge the gap between those struggling with mental health issues and the rest of society by offering work experience, volunteer opportunities, and support. Waiting by Neil Tennant, Petshop Boys The foundation of Mental Aid is a personal and heartfelt initiative led by two father-and-son duos, including Tony McGee, who has photographed legends such as David Bowie and Kate Moss. Inspired by a photograph Bowie himself took of McGee during a 1984 shoot, McGee sees Unseen as more than an exhibit; it’s a testament to creativity as a healing process. "Every artist has a story to tell, and a photograph is often the best way to tell it," says McGee. “This initiative is about encouraging creativity as a form of healing and raising awareness around mental illness.” Alongside McGee and his son Max, the charity was co-founded by Michael Goodall and his son Joe, both of whom bring years of experience and a shared dedication to supporting individuals affected by mental illness. Mental Aid’s purpose is not only to empower individuals through creativity but also to offer practical support, bridging the gap for those often overlooked due to mental health stigmas. Untitled by Matt Helders In addition to Nick Cave, the exhibition will feature works by icons such as Mick Fleetwood, Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, Noel Gallagher, and Joan Armatrading. Attendees can expect to see an eclectic mix of visual perspectives, from a snapshot of Mick Jagger during a quiet moment to serene landscapes taken during early morning hours. Every image tells its own story, offering an intimate view into the lives of these artists and the solace they find in capturing moments through photography. While the event is private, the exhibition will be accessible for public bidding online starting November 28. In doing so, Mental Aid extends the opportunity for everyone to own a piece of music history while supporting a cause that transforms lives. For collectors, fans, and supporters of mental health, Unseen is an event that underscores the connection between artistic expression and emotional well-being, blending the power of imagery with the passion for change.

It’s hard to believe that we just marked the 2 year anniversary since the late Queen’s death back in 2020, and to commemorate this passage of time we are presented with a collector’s edition treasury of quotations by the late Queen titled ‘’Enduring Wisdom: Words of Hope and Inspiration by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’’ . The book includes official portraits of the Queen from each decade of her reign, and the quotations highlight the values that were close to her heart - courage, empathy, forgiveness, hope, humility, love and respect. This anthology pays tribute to a world leader whose grace and wisdom will never die. Queen Elizabeth II was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime and remained the monarch of 15 realms by the time of her death. She was also Patron of more than 600 organisations and charities. Loved and admired throughout her long lifetime, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II touched the lives of millions - not least through the speeches that she broadcast to the world each Christmas during her seventy years on the throne. With over 80 inspiring quotations selected from the late Queen’s beloved Christmas speeches, and interspersed with stunning and memorable portraits, Enduring Wisdom gives intimate insight into the values that Her Majesty held most dear to her heart, including courage, love, strength, and hope for tomorrow, which are all most pertinent in these turbulent times. You can find a hardcover copy on Amazon.co.uk

At Frieze London this year, Marco Capaldo steps beyond the runway to curate his first-ever exhibition, Memories of the Future , held at No. 9 Cork Street. The creative director of British luxury brand 16Arlington is known for his sophisticated approach to fashion, but here, he explores a different kind of aesthetic expression: the evolving, elusive nature of memory. Curated in collaboration with the international gallery Almine Rech, Memories of the Future brings together 14 artists working across a spectrum of mediums. From the polaroids of Andy Warhol to the tactile sculptures of Jesse Pollock, the exhibition highlights Capaldo’s profound connection to contemporary art and showcases his eye for the unexpected. With a lineup that includes emerging UK-based talents such as Rhea Dillon, Henry Curchod, and Remi Ajani, alongside established figures like Warhol and John Giorno, the exhibition is a seamless blend of the iconic and the new. Capaldo's personal investment in the theme is palpable. The exhibition concept, inspired by a piece Rafael Pavarotti penned for Vogue Italia in 2021, reflects on memory’s fluidity—how it isn’t locked in the past but continually reshapes our present and future. "Polaroids capture a moment in time, but in their blurriness, they also embody the nature of memories themselves," Capaldo explains, pointing to Warhol's polaroids as a poignant part of the show. The exhibition opens with two studies of orchids—a deeply personal tribute to Capaldo’s late partner, Kikka Cavenati, who shared a deep admiration for Warhol. Beyond the Warhols, visitors can experience a variety of works that challenge conventional representations of memory. Francesca Woodman’s haunting photography evokes a dreamlike quality, while John Giorno’s seminal installation, Dial-A-Poem , invites audiences into an interactive, spoken-word experience. The inclusion of Jesse Pollock’s towering sculptures—also featured in 16Arlington’s recent SS25 collection—further blurs the lines between fashion and art, merging the sensory with the conceptual. For Capaldo, curating Memories of the Future offered a shift from the fast-paced world of seasonal fashion collections. The year-long process allowed him to connect with the art world more deeply, forming relationships with the artists involved. "I’ve always loved beautiful things,” he says. “It’s amazing to see the world through their eyes and how they channel their emotional connection into their work." This interplay of personal memory, artistic interpretation, and fashion sensibility makes Memories of the Future more than just an exhibition—it’s a reflection of Capaldo’s broader creative vision. Just as he brings the avant-garde to the forefront of British luxury fashion, here, he does the same for contemporary art. With Memories of the Future , Capaldo invites us all to reconsider the role of memory in shaping who we are—and who we might become. Memories of the Future runs until October 19, 2024, at Frieze No. 9 Cork Street, London.

Frieze London 2024 is poised to once again be the highlight of the international art calendar, attracting collectors, curators, and culture aficionados from around the world. With its celebrated mix of contemporary and modern art, Frieze has become a destination where the cutting-edge meets the iconic, showcasing works from both emerging artists and household names. The fair has an undeniable influence on the global art market, setting trends and elevating fresh talent, while offering an unrivalled platform for established galleries to present their most coveted pieces. In this article, we’ve curated a selection of must-see works from this year’s fair. Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene, these standout pieces are sure to captivate. From bold installations that push boundaries to intimate works with subtle storytelling, Frieze London 2024 promises an exciting and diverse experience, and we’re here to guide you through the very best it has to offer. Artist Award: Lawrence Lek London-based artist and filmmaker Lawrence Lek has been named the recipient of the 2024 Artist Award at Frieze London. In partnership with Forma, the award provides early- and mid-career artists with the opportunity to realize ambitious new commissions. Lek is known for his work exploring the moral dilemmas and creative possibilities of artificial intelligence, often infusing his digital world-building with dark humor and absurdist narratives. His 2024 work Empty Rider , for example, features the televised trial of a self-driving car after a botched kidnapping. For this year’s Artist Award commission, Lek has created Guanyin: Confessions of a Former Carebot , a multimedia installation that invites players into a meditative gaming environment where they uncover the story of a cyborg therapist developed to counsel other AIs out of existential crises. Born in Frankfurt and of Malaysian-Chinese heritage, Lek's work reflects global complexities—both real and virtual—through immersive narrative experiences. In Guanyin , players follow the titular carebot, named after the Buddhist goddess of mercy, as she examines Vanguard, the self-driving car from Empty Rider . The project draws inspiration from "walking simulators," video games focused on exploration and storytelling, with Guanyin’s voice guiding players through journal entries, corporate reports, and messages. This thoughtful and innovative work, selected by a jury of art professionals, continues Lek's exploration of AI’s emotional and social impact while pushing the boundaries of digital art at Frieze London 2024. Frieze Masters Donald Locke - Stand S18 Donald Locke (1930–2010) was a pioneering Guyanese artist whose interdisciplinary work spanned painting, sculpture, and ceramics, exploring the legacies of colonialism and racialization. At Frieze London 2024, Locke’s evocative Plantation Series will be on display, a body of work that remains as relevant today as it was when he first created it in the 1970s. These abstract pieces, composed of monochromatic grids, are powerful reflections on the plantation system's oppressive structures and Britain’s colonial legacy. This is a rare opportunity to experience Locke’s work first-hand, and a must-see for those interested in art that challenges historical narratives. Isabella Ducrot - Booth G07 Textiles and paper are the cornerstones of Isabella Ducrot’s practice. The former, worn directly on the skin, indicates intimacy and touch; the latter can contain and protect, as well as convey ideas, whether written or graphic. In both weaving and writing, pattern and repetition can give rise to unique expressions. From her extensive travels over four decades to many countries including Afghanistan, Iran, India, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and Tibet, Ducrot has gathered a unique collection of textiles and paper dating from the 9th to the 20th centuries. She also holds a significant collection of baroque paintings. Though the artist herself only began painting (and writing) relatively late in life, motifs and elements from these collections now make their way into her work, at times glued, stitched directly or painted on to the image ground. Frieze London Ji Xin - Booth C20 Ji Xin (b. 1988), based in Hangzhou and Shanghai, creates large-scale portraits of ethereal women that blend Eastern and Western classical aesthetics. His imposing canvases, often featuring life-size figures with elongated limbs and oversized eyes, are set against elegant Art Deco interiors. Drawing on influences from the Italian Renaissance and Song dynasty painting, Ji’s serene, pastel-toned works explore themes of self-reflection and poetic contemplation. At Frieze London 2024, his tranquil, introspective pieces offer viewers a chance to engage deeply with the enigmatic figures and timeless grace they embody. Hew Locke - Booth C20 Hew Locke (b. 1959, Edinburgh) spent his early years in Guyana before returning to the UK, where he developed a distinctive practice that explores the symbols of power, colonialism, and cultural identity. His work draws from a wide range of sources, including royal portraiture, military history, and public statuary, often fusing his Caribbean and British heritage into multi-layered, politically charged pieces. By blending modern materials with historical references, Locke's works challenge viewers to rethink the cultural and societal symbols that shape our understanding of the world today. At Frieze London 2024, his witty and complex pieces offer a thought-provoking exploration of the legacies of empire and power. Dr. Esther Mahlangu - Booth C20 Dr. Esther Mahlangu is a trailblazer in the world of contemporary art, renowned for her vibrant, geometric abstract paintings rooted in the Ndebele tradition of South Africa. Her work has transcended its origins, taking traditional house-painting patterns and applying them to canvases, sculptures, and even automobiles, as seen in her collaboration with BMW. For over seven decades, Mahlangu has worked to preserve and innovate Ndebele art, blending cultural heritage with contemporary techniques. Her bold designs have captivated global audiences, earning her recognition from art collectors and celebrities alike. At Frieze London 2024, her vivid creations continue to bridge cultural history and modernity. Tom Wesselmann - Booth C20 Tom Wesselmann (1931–2004) was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement, known for his provocative and iconic depictions of everyday consumer culture and the female form. His early works in the 1960s incorporated collages of advertisements and magazine imagery, while his later series, such as Great American Nudes and Standing Still Life, explored sexual imagery and bold compositions on shaped canvases. Wesselmann’s art evolved throughout his career, culminating in his Sunset Nude series, which referenced the work of artists like Henri Matisse. His distinctive style and playful approach to form will be on full display at Frieze London 2024, inviting viewers into a colourful, bold world of Pop Art. Polly Apfelbaum - Booth C08 Polly Apfelbaum’s Red and White Potential (2023) at Frieze London highlights her signature exploration of color, texture, and feminist themes through new wall-mounted ceramics and a woven floor-based installation. The space features red and white striped walls, complemented by a handwoven rug made in Oaxaca, Mexico by Zapotec artisans, using traditional dyes. The rug’s imagery, taken from Apfelbaum’s The Potential of Women series, reflects her ongoing critique of gender inequality, drawing inspiration from a 1963 symposium that imagined a future for women while overlooking the real struggles of 1960s feminism. This installation beautifully merges craft, color, and concept. Shilpa Gupta - Booth C08 Shilpa Gupta’s Untitled (2023) explores the fluidity of time and the boundaries it imposes on both personal and political landscapes. Using the hourglass as a central motif, Gupta questions whether time should be rigidly divided into minutes and seconds, inviting viewers to consider the unconscious and imaginative realms where time blurs and definitions dissolve. Through this contemplative piece, she highlights how power and societal structures shape our psychological borders. At Frieze London 2024, Gupta’s work challenges us to rethink the ways in which we measure both the visible and invisible moments of life. Tacita Dean - Booth C08 Tacita Dean’s Depressed Painter (2024) is a poignant work on glass, created on a Victorian-era steam train window once owned by her late father. The piece, inspired by a Caspar David Friedrich drawing of a painter waiting for inspiration, features a canvas that acts as a mirror, reflecting the viewer back into the scene. Collaborating with a German glass foundry, Dean used layers of fired enamel to create a permanent drawing on the weathered glass. This work, to be shown at Frieze London 2024, exemplifies Dean’s deep engagement with drawing and its spontaneous, chance-based possibilities.

On 26 October 2024, Compton Verney will unveil Chila Kumari Singh Burman: Spectacular Diversions , a bold and immersive exhibition showcasing the vibrant and politically charged works of this celebrated artist. Renowned for her kaleidoscopic use of neon, printmaking, and mixed media, Burman’s art delves into themes of identity, culture, and resistance. Her creations are deeply influenced by her upbringing in Bootle, Merseyside, and her rich Punjabi-Hindu heritage. While the exhibition will focus on Burman’s most recent work, it also highlights the ongoing themes she has explored over four decades—challenging stereotypes, institutional racism, and fixed notions of British identity. A centrepiece of the exhibition is Dad’s Ice Cream Van (2022), which will be displayed outdoors, adorned with Burman’s iconic neon tiger—a symbol of both nostalgia and defiance. The ice cream business, central to Burman’s personal history, reappears throughout her career, symbolizing continuity and resistance. Her early printmaking, which began in the 1960s, is revisited in new works that use her body as a canvas, addressing beauty standards, ageism, and the representation of South Asian women. The exhibition will transform Compton Verney’s galleries with Burman’s eclectic mix of influences. Collages featuring Bollywood stars, self-portraits, folk heroines, and vibrant neon sculptures will burst from the walls. A customized Tuk Tuk, covered in shocking pink and embellished with trinkets, will display a screen showing some of Burman’s films, offering a visual journey from Bootle to Bollywood. The largest gallery will be illuminated with neon deities, animals, and mythological creatures, creating a luminous, dreamlike environment. Chila Kumari Singh Burman: Spectacular Diversions will present Burman at her most inventive, reaffirming her role as a key figure in the Black British Art Movement. This exhibition not only celebrates her dynamic body of work but also underscores her longstanding commitment to confronting race, class, and gender issues. As curator Oli McCall notes, Burman is “at the height of her powers,” and this ambitious show is a testament to her boundary-pushing creativity. The exhibition opens on 26 October 2024 and runs until 19 January 2025 at Compton Verney, offering a rare opportunity to experience the vibrant and multi-faceted world of one of contemporary British art’s most influential figures.

In just two weeks, Somerset House will unveil Making a Rukus! Black Queer Histories through Love and Resistance , an exciting new exhibition set to open on October 11, 2024. Running until January 19, 2025, this immersive experience, curated by artist and filmmaker Topher Campbell, promises to be a powerful exploration of Black LGBTQIA+ history, culture, and activism in Britain. Presented across the Terrace and Courtyard Rooms, the exhibition features over 200 objects, including rare archival materials, contemporary artworks, and brand-new commissions, all designed to honour and amplify the stories of Black queer pioneers. Campbell, who co-founded the rukus! Federation with photographer Ajamu, has crafted an exhibition that is both a celebration and a radical act of remembrance. Visitors will delve into the origins of the rukus! Federation , starting with the collaboration between Campbell and Ajamu, whose friendship and creative partnership laid the groundwork for an archive that continues to influence Black queer art and activism today. Unseen items from their personal archives will be on display, alongside Campbell's iconic film The Homecoming: A Short Film about Ajamu , offering an intimate look at the foundation of the rukus! movement. In room two, the exhibition expands to showcase the broader community of Black LGBTQIA+ individuals and organizations that have contributed to the rukus! archive. From meeting notes and posters to clothing and magazine articles, the room tells the story of collective resistance against homophobia and racism. Highlighting figures like poet Dorothea Smart, playwright Mojisola Adebayo, and photographer Rotimi Fani-Kayode, this section shines a spotlight on the creative and activist legacies that have shaped the Black queer experience in Britain. The third room offers a more visceral experience, bringing visitors into the world of Black LGBTQIA+ club culture. Artist Evan Ifekoya’s interactive installation A Score, A Groove, A Phantom, A rukus! reimagines the euphoric energy of these underground spaces, where bodies, music, and desire converged to create bold expressions of identity. Soundscapes, fashion, HIV prevention materials, and flyers from legendary clubs like Bootylicious and Stallions will immerse visitors in a space where community and resistance thrived through celebration. The final section of Making a Rukus! turns to film and oral histories. Visitors can view Sharing Tongues , a series of interviews with Black LGBTQIA+ individuals across the UK, as well as A Short Film About Us by Ramses Underhill-Smith, which examines the intersection of cultural and lesbian identities. These films, along with others in the rukus! archive, give voice to those whose stories are often left out of mainstream narratives, making clear the ongoing vitality of Black queer resistance. The exhibition will also be accompanied by a rich public program, including tours led by Campbell himself and a special premiere of a new short film by Andy Mundy-Castle. The film, which will debut on Somerset House’s Channel on October 11, explores the theme of spaces through a conversation between Campbell and Ifekoya, offering a contemporary reflection on the exhibition’s themes. With Making a Rukus! , Somerset House invites visitors not only to reflect on the past but also to engage with the present and future of Black queer creativity, activism, and love. This is more than an exhibition—it’s a call to continue making history.