As the art world turns towards a new season, September and October bring a renewed sense of energy and anticipation. Across Seoul, New York, London and Paris, some of the world's leading international art fairs will bring together collectors, galleries, artists and institutions, creating a vibrant period of exchange and discovery.
The autumn art season opens in Seoul with Frieze Seoul, taking place at COEX from 2–5 September 2026. Now in its fifth edition, the fair brings together more than 125 galleries from 30 countries, with a particularly strong representation from across the Asia-Pacific region. Frieze Seoul continues to reflect Seoul's growing importance within the international art world, connecting the city's dynamic contemporary art scene with collectors and institutions from around the globe.
Among the artists taking centre stage this year is Damien Hirst, whose work is presented in a dedicated solo booth by Gagosian. The presentation brings together works from some of Hirst's most recognisable and enduring series, including Spot Paintings, Spin Paintings, Pill Cabinets and Treasures. His presence at Frieze Seoul reflects the continuing international reach of a practice that has played a defining role in contemporary British art since the 1990s.
From Asia, the focus moves west to New York, where The Armory Show takes place at the Javits Center from 24–27 September. A cornerstone of New York's cultural landscape since 1994, the fair brings together leading international galleries working across modern and contemporary art and marks the beginning of the city's autumn art season.
London: the heart of the autumn art season
October brings the international art world to London, where Frieze London and Frieze Masters return to The Regent's Park from 14–18 October. The two fairs offer complementary perspectives on collecting, with Frieze London focused on leading contemporary practices and Frieze Masters bringing together significant works spanning thousands of years of art history. In 2026, Frieze Masters will feature more than 130 galleries from around the world, creating an especially rich dialogue between historical and contemporary art.
For London collectors, the significance of Frieze extends beyond the fairgrounds. The surrounding cultural programme provides an opportunity to see many of the artists who have shaped modern and contemporary art in a wider institutional context. At Tate Britain, The 90s: Art and Fashion opens on 8 October, exploring the extraordinary intersection of British art, fashion and popular culture during the decade. Among the nearly 70 artists, photographers and designers represented is Damien Hirst, alongside figures including Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas. The exhibition offers an opportunity to revisit the cultural moment in which the Young British Artists transformed the international perception of contemporary British art.
Meanwhile, at the Royal Academy of Arts, Painting the French Riviera opens on 2 October. Spanning almost a century of artistic production, the exhibition explores how the landscapes and light of the South of France inspired successive generations of artists. Its presentation brings together works by Monet, Matisse and Picasso, alongside Cézanne, Renoir, Bonnard, Braque and others, offering a fascinating perspective on the development of modern art.
Together, these exhibitions make London an especially compelling destination during the autumn art season, with the city's fairs, museums and galleries offering multiple ways to encounter both established masters and influential contemporary artists.
Art Basel Paris: the season culminates
The international art calendar then moves to Paris for Art Basel Paris, which returns to the Grand Palais from 23–25 October. Its fifth edition will bring together 211 exhibitors from 41 countries and territories, including almost 30 galleries participating for the first time. The fair's three sectors — Galeries, Emergence and Premise — span established contemporary practices, emerging artists and historically significant projects, reinforcing Paris's position as one of the world's great cultural capitals.
For collectors, the sequence from Seoul to New York, London and Paris offers more than a succession of major art fairs. It provides a unique opportunity to observe the international art market as it moves between regions, generations and artistic movements — from contemporary practices and emerging voices to the modern masters whose influence continues to shape the art world today.
For Andipa, whose programme brings together artists including Damien Hirst, David Hockney, Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, this cross-continental season offers a particularly rich moment for looking at artists within the broader context of their practices, histories and continued cultural relevance.
As the international art world comes together once again, the coming weeks promise a vibrant exchange of ideas, perspectives and discoveries — and an exciting beginning to the autumn collecting season.
