Frieze London puts Chinese artists in the frame

Chinese artists will be among those featured at the 16th edition of Frieze London which showcases the best of international contemporary art and starts in Regent's Park this week.

Beijing-based Liu Wei, with White Cube gallery in London, will create a dramatic architectural environment made out of metal mesh panels.

The Chinese artist's paintings and sculptures were made especially for the exhibition and Liu describes his works as "how an artist balances the commercial and the academic perspectives which is the most important issue faced by contemporary artists.

"This new body of work is a reflection on the function of art and the relation between individuals and the whole society," he added.

White Cube, which has represented Liu since 2012, said the booth at Frieze London "has been conceived by the artist as an installation, featuring a complex configuration of mesh walls that will transform the architecture of the space."

This presentation shows a shift in Liu's practice which usually reflects the socio-political and urban landscape of China.

The fair will also be showcasing emerging talents including Hong Kong-based Wong Ping's immersive neon works presented by Edouard Malingue Gallery.

Wong's Fables is a single animation film in three parts and exhibited within an immersive setting.

"Flashing, pop-like imagery; visual and auditory narrations; installations that extend into three dimensions, the artist's fantastical animation world – these are elements of Wong Ping's practice that express his observations of society, from childhood to adulthood, using a visual language that sits on the border of shocking and amusing," said the Hong Kong gallery.

Elsewhere, there is a specific section of Frieze entitled Social Work, dedicated to female artists who were active during the 1980s and 1990s and challenged the status quo. Artists whose work will be on display include Nancy Spero from the US and the UK’s Helen Chadwick.

Frieze Film questions systems that control and influence the dissemination of information and Frieze Talks will be co-programmed for the first time by Lydia Yee, chief curator of Whitechapel Gallery. Highlights include a multimedia storytelling and in conversation with legendary US musician, artist and film-maker Laurie Anderson.

The Frieze Masters section will bring together more than 130 international galleries presenting work depicting six millennia of art history from across the world.

Frieze London 2018 runs from Oct 5-7.

Alexandra Boulton contributed to this story