The Canadian-born, London-based art dealer Stephen Friedman has closed his London gallery and entered into administration. The gallery has been a fixture on the London scene since 1995. Last November, he closed his New York outpost, citing a plan to “consolidate operations in London.” Several new directors had recently joined.
In a statement, the gallery said: “Stephen Friedman Gallery commenced the administration process on 2 February 2026 to allow for an orderly review of its financial position. FRP Advisory have been appointed as the administrator. All matters are now subject to the administrator’s consideration. The gallery is now closed to the public and will not be presenting at Art Basel Qatar this week.” In a striking similarity to Blain Southern, an expensive New York gallery has certainly contributed to SFG’s demise.
For over 30 years, Stephen Friedman Gallery has been a leading voice in contemporary art. The gallery championed exceptional artists from around the world, sharing their work through exhibitions, projects, and international collaborations.
Since the 1990s, the gallery has been based in Mayfair. In October 2023, the gallery expanded and relocated from its Old Burlington Street sites to 5-6 Cork Street. From November 2023 to February 2026, the gallery programmed a second space at 54 Franklin Street in Tribeca, New York.
Stephen Friedman Gallery championed artists whose work expanded the language of art today. Representing nearly forty artists from around the world, the gallery brought together work across painting, sculpture, video and installation, embracing innovation and fresh approaches to abstraction and minimalism. The gallery nurtured the careers of emerging and high-profile artists and has preserved the legacies of numerous estates.
Artist Roster
Ana Cláudia Almeida, Juan Araujo, Tonico Lemos Auad, Leilah Babirye, Jonathan Baldock, Stephan Balkenhol, Sarah Ball, Claire Barclay, Caroline Coon, Alexandre Diop, Melvin Edwards, Andreas Eriksson, Manuel Espinosa, Denzil Forrester, Tom Friedman, Kendell Geers, Sky Glabush, Pam Glick, Wayne Gonzales, Hulda Guzmán, Channing Hansen, Holly Hendry, Thomas Hirschhorn, Jim Hodges, Izumi Kato, Ilona Keserü, Rivane Neuenschwander, Ged Quinn, Deborah Roberts, Anne Rothenstein, Yinka Shonibare, David Shrigley, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Jiro Takamatsu, Caroline Walker, Kehinde Wiley, Clare Woods, Yooyun Yang, Luiz Zerbini.