Art & Design Events to See This October
By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
As the days get shorter and cooler, it’s time to retreat into the warm, inviting lobbies of London’s finest venues, museums and galleries to get your autumnal cultural fix. Whether you enjoy a solo skulk around the National Portrait Gallery with a podcast, a rollicking family visit to the Natural History Museum or a romantic stroll through the towering halls of the V&A, ’tis the season to wrap up warm and soak up the cultural delights that the capital has to offer.
Luckily, October is a time of great cultural importance, especially for the world of art and design, and alongside the programme of annual events that fall in October, including Decorex, Frieze Art Fair and the Goldsmiths’ Fair, there are a number of fantastic exhibitions to add to your ‘must-see’ list. So, this month, I’ll be rounding up some events for your cultural calendar, from decadent decorative arts events to eye-opening exhibitions and beyond.
Goldsmiths’ Fair
A bustling, glimmering celebration of all that glitters, Goldsmiths’ Fair is an annual selling and exhibition event that highlights some of the leading names in jewellery design today. The site of the current Hall, which is just northeast of St Paul’s Cathedral, has been home to the Goldmsiths’ Company since 1339 where two previous Halls once stood. The Hall’s Assay Office is where the hallmarking of fine jewellery began over 700 years ago, and where the painstaking task is carried out to this day. This year, the fair is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an integrated exhibition, 40 at 40, which showcases the work of 40 makers, each of whom is represented by an outstanding piece created after 1983.
Week 2, 4th – 9th October 2022, The Goldsmiths’ Hall
Frieze London, Frieze Masters and Frieze Sculpture
One of the most prestigious and lucrative art programmes in the world, Frieze takes place annually amongst the gently landscaped parkland of Regent’s Park. The many globally renowned galleries that show their collections at Freize’s purpose-built pavilions attract over 60,000 visitors across collectors, gallerists, fellow artists and of course, the general public. For contemporary art, get yourself a ticket to Frieze London, and for artwork produced before 2000 and antiquities, head to Frieze Masters. For a free-of-charge meander around Frieze Sculpture, head to the south end of the park’s Broadwalk.
Throughout October 2022, Regents Park
PAD London
Each October, PAD London takes over the leafy Mayfair square to showcase exquisite 20th-century and contemporary design from some of the world’s most sought-after galleries and designers. Amongst the design names to know taking part this year are Rose Uniacke, Galerie Scene Ouverte, Spazio Nobile, Sarah Myerscough Gallery, David Gill Gallery, Gallery FUMI and Carpenters Workshop Gallery.
10th-16th October 2022, Berkeley Square
Decorex
For the latest in interior design, Decorex is the very best place to seek out new trends, meet makers and gather inspiration for your next home decoration project. Set against the backdrop of the soaring Victorian halls of Olympia London, international design studios and makers gather to network, and meet new clients and customers. It’s a riot of colour, pattern and inspiration, especially if you attend a few of the interior design talks held throughout the week on topics from collecting design pieces to making a happy home.
9th-12th October 2022, Kensington Olympia
StART Art Fair
For emerging artists with fresh, booming voices and innovative approaches to their media, the StART Art Fair is a one-stop-shop. Harti, Illuminati Neon, Tommy Fiendish and a number of international fresh faces will be exhibiting, bringing punchy, political and thought-provoking art to the prestigious venue. Visitors will also have the opportunity to review the entries to the inaugural StART Martin Miller’s Gin Emerging Art Prize, where entrants were invited to create works to respond to the theme, transformation.
12th-16th October 2022, Saatchi Gallery
222 Kensal Rd,
London,
W10 5BN
T: +44207 138 3556
