Sitting on the roof terrace of Old Sessions House in Clerkenwell is a fine way to contemplate London. Eva Langret beams. ‘This idea of discovery, of making space for new voices – that’s always been what London does so well,’ she says. ‘Here you see exhibitions you don’t get to see anywhere else. Our institutions are risk-taking; there’s a real sense of wanting to experiment, and I want Frieze to do that too.’
Langret has led the world-class fair since 2019, first as artistic director of Frieze London and Frieze Masters, now as director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It’s a huge role in a highly competitive market, with Frieze up against Art Basel and a myriad of satellite fairs and art weeks worldwide. Seeing art is a global proposition. Yet Langret leads Frieze with a vision of diversity, experimentation and community that consistently makes the annual fair, held in Regent’s Park, a must for private collectors, gallerists, museum acquisition teams and the culturally inquisitive alike. That mission shows up in the free-to-access Frieze Sculpture exhibition, in the Focus section spotlighting new galleries, and above all in Artist-to-Artist.
In this section, sponsored by Tiffany & Co, established artists and curators nominate emerging talents – a peer system that shines a light on creatives who might otherwise be hard to locate. ‘It’s the idea of lineage and collaboration that really resonated with the team at Tiffany. And simply being able to celebrate and support living artists – that’s great,’ says Langret of the partnership.
This year’s Artist-to-Artist edition features seven nominees, including Eusung Lee (nominated by Ayoung Kim), Paul Robas (nominated by Louise Giovanelli), Eilen Itzel do Espirito Santo (nominated by Firelei Baez) and Unathi Mkonto (nominated by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA).
Italian-born gallerist Alice Amati, of her namesake gallery on Warren Street, will be showcasing artist Paul Robas, whose work translates mashed-up digital images into painted canvases. ‘I work with 10 artists of 10 different nationalities. Artist-to-Artist is this idea that artists can recommend other artists – who recognise talent better than anyone else. I have never seen anyone so committed to giving those opportunities to the next generation as Eva,’ says Amati.
Langret’s drive to expose the next generation is heartfelt. ‘We put that at the centre of the fair architecturally too, and every year we work closely with the committee to make sure the presentations make space for new galleries, galleries that have never done fairs, artists just out of university. It matters to me that they benefit,’ says Langret. This year, showcases by female artists will greet visitors on entering the fair.
These big cultural moments are a minefield of preparation, and Langret will have worked on Frieze London for over a year – vetting and overseeing layouts and talks to ensure there’s a thrill the moment you swipe your pass through the gates. She navigates the intricacies of the business (now owned by entertainment entrepreneur Ari Emanuel of Mari in a deal worth $200m signed in 2025) with discipline and grace. Eight international fairs, including Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Frieze New York, Frieze LA, Frieze Seoul and the new Frieze Abu Dhabi, launching November, now sit under the umbrella. ‘Eva is consistently calm, warm and welcoming, especially under immense pressure. Crucially, she’s a great listener, which has helped bring about meaningful progress,’ says Robert Diament, partner at the Margate-based Carl Freedman Gallery.
Having worked for institutions and galleries in her early career, Langret set her sights on London, first visiting Frieze in 2005 after being sent by a Parisian gallery. ‘I remember being in Paris at university, getting copies of Frieze magazine and thinking, “One day I’ll see this.” My boss paid for my ticket and off I went. I remember wearing these orange suede Peter Pan boots that were just so wrong, but I was in my early twenties and thought they looked great!’ It was, she says, ‘this sense of convening, of bringing people together in a way that felt community-led’ that left its mark on the ingenue.
A later role as a gallerist at Tiwani Contemporary, which specialises in African diaspora artists, gave Langret an insider’s view. ‘Participating as an exhibitor, I got to know the team. Victoria Siddall (now director of NPG) and the fair’s founders, Matthew Slotover and Amanda Sharp, put me through a grilling interview,’ she says. ‘The big swing was from a tiny set-up to a big organisation. Everything I’d done in the art world before was hands-on; then I found myself with over a hundred people on the team,’ she says. ‘I don’t come from a family of collectors; I didn’t necessarily know the codes. My way was to learn, gradually.’
That’s the advice she gives on visiting – small steps, big focus. ‘Whoever’s on the stand, ask for information. Break it up – there are 172 galleries, it’s huge,’ says Langret, who now abides by the comfy-shoes rule. You’d be wise to follow suit.
Frieze London runs 14-18 Oct; frieze.com
Main image by Trish Ward. Eva wears jumper, JW Anderson; earrings, Tiffany & Co; jeans, Eva’s own