LONDON, ENGLAND.-The third edition of Frieze Art Fair, London’s international contemporary art event, closed on Monday 24 October 2005 with galleries, collectors and organisers declaring excellent results to the delight of fair directors Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover. Outstanding works from highly renowned and the best emerging artists, excellent sales and an international audience of buyers and collectors have confirmed Frieze Art Fair’s position as one of the world’s leading contemporary art events.

Frieze Art Fair has now created a new cultural season in London. The capital’s galleries, museums and auction houses organised blockbuster exhibitions, openings, auctions and events creating ‘Frieze Week’.

Writer and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter commented “…he [the Prime Minister] could perhaps pen a letter of thanks to Matthew and Amanda for bringing millions of pounds of revenue into Britain in a thoroughly enjoyable and positive way.”

“Hotels will be full, restaurants packed to bursting, bars thriving and taxi drivers smiling. Through hard work and chutzpah they’ve made art accessible for all.”

The fair saw a 20% increase on ticket sales; a record number of 47,000 visitors and over 1,500 journalists visiting 160 galleries from the USA, Europe, Latin America, Asia and UK had the opportunity to see and buy work by over 2,000 artists.

Sales figures are predicted to exceed last year’s £26 million with some gallerists selling out within hours of the fair opening to collectors. “We have done as much, if not more business at this fair than we have done at any other art fair. Between the fair and the gallery it’s likely to be in the region of £2million.” Nicholas Logsdail, Lisson Gallery, London.

“We are delighted that the fair looks so good this year. Galleries brought fantastic work and the word from them is that sales are even better than last year.” Matthew Slotover and Amanda Sharp, co-directors of Frieze Art Fair commented today. “Even with our healthy increase in visitor numbers there have been no queues; the third edition really has run remarkably smoothly.”