Interview with Jo Stella-Sawicka, Deputy Director of Frieze London

13/10/14
Interview with Jo Stella-Sawicka, Deputy Director of Frieze London

As Frieze London revs up for its 2014 edition, there has been a lot of talk about the recent announcements regarding staffing changes at the top, as well as about the new Artist Award and Live section dedicated to performance art. What with hosting three international fairs annually and a seemingly ever expanding remit, Frieze is undeniably becoming a brand – so much so that this even forms the basis for one tongue-in-cheek performance work this year. Jo Stella-Sawicka, deputy director of Frieze London since 2011, is unashamed, however. ‘Of course Frieze is a brand,’ she exclaims proudly. The former director of London’s Stephen Friedman Gallery and one time art curator for British fashion chain Monsoon found some time on the eve of the fair’s launch to talk about all we have to look forward to, both this coming week and beyond.

Anna McNay: You’re coming up for four years working with Frieze now. What have you seen change during your time with the fair?

Jo Stella-Sawicka: Well, we’ve launched Frieze New York, which was obviously a major expansion for the company, and Frieze Masters as well, at the same time, so we've gone from producing one event a year to three. As a result, our activity is much more global. Also, we’re working with galleries that have to do with ancient art, medieval art and modern art, as well as contemporary art, so we’re working across the entire spectrum of 7000 years of art making.

To read the rest of this interview, please go to: http://uk.complex.com/style/2014/10/frieze-london-deputy-director-jo-stella-interview