Okiki Akinfe has won the inaugural £30,000 Dasha Shenkman Focus Fund prize at Frieze London, the Contemporary Art Society announced Thursday. The new award, created to fund public institutional acquisitions of emerging artists’ work shown in the fair’s Focus section, named Akinfe its first recipient on Oct. 15, 2026.
Akinfe’s winning pieces, a figurative painting titled Fame is a Gun along with an accompanying lightbox and preparatory drawing, were displayed on the Ginny on Frederick gallery stand during this year’s fair, according to The Art Newspaper.
What The Dasha Shenkman Focus Fund Prize Covers
The Contemporary Art Society established the fund specifically to acquire work by an emerging artist exhibiting in Frieze London‘s Focus section, which spotlights younger galleries and artists. Philanthropist Dasha Shenkman supported the creation of the prize fund, according to The Art Newspaper.
The organization said the fund responds to a period in which public arts funding has remained flat, making it harder for museums to acquire work by rising artists during major fairs like Frieze.
Where Akinfe’s Work Is Headed
Akinfe’s prize-winning works will enter the permanent collection of Abbot Hall in Kendal. The acquisition marks the first time a UK museum has added her work to its collection, according to the announcement.
The Contemporary Art Society did not detail why judges selected Akinfe’s work over other Focus section entries, nor did it release information on how many artists were considered for the inaugural prize.
A Milestone Year For The Contemporary Art Society
The announcement lands during a significant year for the organization. The Contemporary Art Society is marking its tenth anniversary of acquiring works for UK public institutions in 2026, and the launch of the Dasha Shenkman Focus Fund represents a new chapter in that mission tied directly to Frieze London.
By anchoring the fund to the fair’s Focus section, the Contemporary Art Society is positioning Frieze London as a direct pipeline between emerging artists and permanent museum collections, starting with Akinfe’s acquisition by Abbot Hall.
What’s Next
Abbot Hall in Kendal is expected to display Akinfe’s acquired works as part of its collection, though no exhibition date has been announced. The Contemporary Art Society has not said whether the Dasha Shenkman Focus Fund prize will return as an annual fixture at future editions of Frieze London.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
