The 14th edition of the free art trail opens in Regent's Park.
Every year, to coincide with the Frieze Art Fair, a motley collection of sculptures appears in the south-east corner of Regent's Park. I've been to all 14 editions and, personally, I think this is the best one yet.
This year's collection features 11 artists. Most will be unfamiliar to the casual park-goer, though returning name Conrad Shawcross will undoubtedly ring a few bells from the half dozen metallic sculptures he's left across London.
The trail, curated once again by Fatoş Üstek, presents a real mixed bag of styles and materials, with traditional abstract sculptures alongside more conceptual pieces that, by and large, hit their mark.
I normally award a notional prize for the sculpture with the most impenetrable artspeak label. It's tricky to do this year, as all the artists give a (reasonably) clear description of their works. However, some acknowledgement has to go to the web description of Ivana Bašić's Metanoia, which apparently "embodies the yearning for unity that lies deep within the human condition and contemplates what endures when political ideals fracture and personal identities fragment". The old guy next to me had other ideas: "Looks like the pods from Aliens".
The Frieze art trail is a particularly fun activity for families. Kids will have very different takes on the artworks to their adults. They'll particularly enjoy the three stone plinths, each of which is chiselled with instructions for a pose you should strike, which in turn recreates the stance of a famous London statue. Can you work out what these three are meant to be?
I've only included a handful of the sculptures here, and I'd encouraged you to go explore for yourself.
Frieze Sculpture Trail is in the south-east corner of Regent's Park until 1 November 2026. Entrance is free.
