King’s Leap Wins the Focus Stand Prize at Frieze London
The New York gallery is recognised for its solo show by Michelle Uckotter
The New York gallery is recognised for its solo show by Michelle Uckotter
King’s Leap (New York) has been announced as the winner of the Focus Stand Prize at Frieze London 2025 for its solo presentation by New York-based artist Michelle Uckotter.
‘We were particularly impressed by King’s Leap and Michelle Uckotter’s approach to dystopian storytelling, concealment and intimacy and their imaginative use of the fair environment,’ said the jury.
Honourable mentions went to Gathering for Christelle Oyiri’s installation VENOM VOYAGE and palace enterprise for Cally Spooner’s series ‘Deadtime’.
The Focus Stand Prize highlights younger galleries taking part in Frieze London and rewards those who participate with ambitious and well-researched presentations. This year’s jury comprised Anya Harrison (curator at MO.CO Montpellier Contemporain), Linsey Young (independent curator) and Poppy Bowers (senior curator of exhibitions at the Whitworth, University of Manchester).
About Michelle Uckotter
Michelle Uckotter (b. 1992, Cincinnati, US; lives and works in New York) contorts a knowledge of painterly modernism with contemporary femininity on the verge of collapse. In her recent paintings, visceral and expressive use of oil pastel renders cinematic scenes, playing with Hollywood horror film tropes and the stakes inherent to those suspenseful scenes. For her solo presentation with King’s Leap at Frieze London, Uckotter stages paintings and a site-specific installation that implicates the viewer in a voyeuristic hall of mirrors.
King’s Leap is at Stand F8, Frieze London.
About Focus
Frieze’s long-standing section dedicated to fostering a community of young galleries up to 12 years old, Focus champions emerging talent from across the globe. Focus at Frieze London 2025 is advised by Joumana Asseily (founder, Marfa’), Piotr Drewko (founder, Wschód) and Cédric Fauq (chief curator, CAPC Musée d’art Contemporain de Bordeaux).
As the Official Partner of Focus, Stone Island offers each participating gallery a bursary alongside Frieze’s subsidy. This support helps emerging galleries younger than 12 years take part in Focus and present today’s most forward-thinking artists, underscoring a shared commitment to experimentation, innovation and creative community.
Further Information
Frieze London and Frieze Masters, The Regent’s Park, 15 – 19 October 2025.
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Main Image: Focus Stand Prize, Frieze London 2025. Photo: Linda Nylind. Courtesy: Frieze
