Andrew Durbin knows how to tackle Frieze London. In 2020 he was appointed editor-in-chief of Frieze magazine, leaning on his experience as founding director at New York’s Company Gallery and senior editor at Frieze New York.
In the five years since he made the move, Durbin has built connections between global artistic communities and shone a light on great art in a fast-changing world – a mission and sensibility that comes through in his choices of galleries, artists, and works to seek out at this year’s Frieze London art fair, which runs from October 15 to 19.
Broadsheet asked Durbin to walk us through his play-by-play for the fair’s first day, from unmissable booths to his go-to spots for a quiet snack, a quick lunch and dinner with friends.
You’ve arrived at Regent’s Park for the first day of Frieze. What’s your game plan?
I always begin with my friend Maureen Paley. She brings a wide selection of her fantastic roster of artists, and I love to see what all of them are working on. Her booth tells me a lot about where contemporary art is headed.
Which new exhibitors are you particularly excited about?
I can’t wait to see a. SQUIRE, which is bringing the artist Bogdan Ablozhnyy to the fair; its programme is one of my favourites in London. I’m also excited about another new London gallery, Gathering, and Tokyo’s Kayokoyuki.
And who are the veterans you revisit every year?
After Maureen, I love to stop by Sadie Coles, Taka Ishii, Corvi-Mora, and Ortuzar (at Masters). I'm thrilled by their programmes, both at the fair and throughout the year at their galleries.
You have an hour for a lunch meeting. Where are you heading?
The artist and poet CA Conrad recently introduced me to Veg Box on Marylebone Road. It’s small, quiet and not far from Regent’s Park. It reminds me a lot of two of my favorite restaurants in New York, Peacefood and the late, great Earth Matters.
And if you have time for something longer and more leisurely?
If I have some time, I love to stop by the new galleries in Bloomsbury – my favourite neighbourhood in London. I’ll end my tour at my regular lunch spot, Ta’mini. It’s a Lebanese bakery on Marchmont Street, with very limited seating. I usually order a wrap and sit in Brunswick Square Gardens.
It’s time for a drink and a nibble. Where’s your go-to?
The bar at the Delauney. It's slightly out of the way and quiet.
Are you dropping in to any shops on the way?
I try to spend much of my free time in bookshops: the London Review Bookshop, Judd, Gay’s the Word and Skoob. They’re all in Bloomsbury, so a quick walk from the fair.
You’ve made it through the first day of Frieze. Where’s dinner?
Golden Dragon in Chinatown. A whole roast chicken with rice. Maybe two, depending on the table.
Frieze London runs from October 15–19.
Durbin’s latest book, The Wonderful World That Almost Was: A Life of Peter Hujar and Paul Thek is out in April 2026.
