On January 23 in San Francisco, the dazzling 11th edition of FOG Design+Art will debut at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, on view through January 26. This year, the beloved fair introduces the global arts community to its inaugural Fair Director Sydney Blumenkranz, as well as rejoices in the presentation’s 59 exhibitors, the broadening of FOG FOCUS, and the unveiling of FOG MRKT. Honorary chairs Evans Hankey and Brook Lane, as well as Jim Abrams and Mario Russo, champion the Bay Area celebration of revelatory art and design.
The world’s trailblazing creatives and galleries will take part in this dynamic iteration of FOG Design+Art, with first time notables like Galerie Maria Wettergren (Paris), Herald St (London), Kiang Malingue (Hong Kong), Lisson Gallery (London), Peter Blum Gallery (New York), SIDE GALLERY (Barcelona), Southern Guild (Los Angeles), Venus Over Manhattan (New York), Charles Moffett Gallery (New York), Chris Sharp Gallery (Los Angeles), Fernberger (Los Angeles), François Ghebaly (Los Angeles), House of Seiko (San Francisco), Municipal Bonds (San Francisco), and Superhouse (New York). Sponsors Bank of America, Christie’s, UOVO, and Valentino help bring the momentous event to glittering life.
Sydney Blumenkranz Newly Leads FOG Design+Art
Courtesy of FOG Design+Art; Photo by Nikki Ritcher.
“FOG Design+Art has always been about celebrating our creative community and fostering connections within the art and design world,” said Blumenkranz, Director of FOG Design+Art. “I am honored to take on this role and look forward to finding new and impactful ways to push the fair in new directions, and to find more opportunities for engagement with the arts community regionally and around the world.”
“FOG Design+Art has always been about celebrating our creative community and fostering connections within the art and design world,”
Sydney Blumenkranz
In partnership with San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s (SFMOMA), which Blumenkranz masterfully led for nearly 6 years, a jubilant Preview Gala on January 22 will support the institution’s far-reaching educational and creative programming. Luminous exhibitions from a myriad of participating galleries are in store, including Pier 2’s OCHI (Los Angeles), Commonwealth and Council (Los Angeles), Municipal Bonds (San Francisco), and Johansson Projects (Oakland), as well as Pier 3’s AGO Projects (Mexico City), Gladstone (New York), Gallery FUMI (London), and Galerie Maria Wettergren (Paris).
During San Francisco Art Week, FOG Design+Art Unveils FOG MRKT and More
During a must-see San Francisco Art Week, taking place January 18-26, the much-anticipated fair will raise the curtain on FOG MRKT, a deftly curated installation of locally-produced, innovative crafts and artisanal products. One-of-a-kind treasures will be seen beside objects tailor made for the 2025 fair.
FOG FOCUS, a visitors favorite, will return in spirited fashion, showcasing the cutting-edge creativity of underrepresented and emerging artists. Meanwhile, guests will not want to miss FOG Talks, expertly curated by Susan Swig, which brings together cultural figureheads to discuss critical issues in the art and design industries.
FOG Steering Committee Member Douglas Durkin Imparts the Uniqueness of the Fair
Courtesy of FOG Design+Art; Photo by Nikki Ritcher.
“Since FOG’s inception, design has been integrated deeply into the fair,” said Douglas Durkin of the FOG Design+Art Steering Committee. “It is the dialogue between fine art and design that gives FOG its unique character, and is a beloved feature by our patrons and attendees. We feel the pairing of art and design is such a natural mix, as it speaks to the totality of how people live, and also acknowledges current understandings of the totality of creative endeavor. Look at the recent successes of SFMOMA’ exhibit on the “Art of Noise: Design” speaks to people in direct and approachable ways, and its featured presence at FOG alongside art speaks to the creative impulses of the Bay Area in a more holistic presentation.”
“We feel the pairing of art and design is such a natural mix, as it speaks to the totality of how people live,”
Douglas Durkin
“We also have a really wonderful program that is quite unique to FOG called FOG FORUM,” added Durkin. “Each year this program brings together architects, industrial designers, interior designers, landscape architects, and residential contractors to gather at FOG, and the proceeds from their participation benefit SFMOMA’s A+D accessions fund. Each year at the fair FOG FORUM members gather at the fair and select a work from one of the dealers that is acquired for SFMOMA’s collection. It’s a very meaningful program for both the fair and the museum.”
Tammy Nguyen at Lehmann Maupin
TAMMY NGUYEN, “SOS: The Contact Zones Are Very Rich in Metasomatic Ores,” 2024, Arches BFK Rives paper, intaglio with drypoint etching, hand set type letterpress, marbled paper, onion paper, tissue paper, handmade paper, laser cutting, silkscreen, Xerox, inkjet printing, rubber stamping, acrylic, holographic stickers, and collage, 19.75 x 27.5 inches, 50.2 x 69.9 cm,
Framed Dimensions:
22.24 x 30.04 x 1.5 inches, 56.5 x 76.3 x 3.8 cm; courtesy of the artist and Lehmann Maupin.
The perceptive and imaginative artist Tammy Nguyen will debut fresh multimedia artworks as well as an insightful literary narrative series alongside Lehmann Maupin. SOS: The Contact Zones Are Very Rich in Metasomatic Ores (2024) skillfully brings together diverse materials and styles, from tissue paper to holographic stickers to hand set type letterpress. The result is prismatic and meditative, inviting viewers into her in-depth research of history, ecology, and geopolitics.
Kim Mupangilaï at Superhouse
Works by Kim Mupangilaï; courtesy of the artist and Superhouse.
Superhouse revels in its first presentation at the fair, inviting audiences to explore a glowing solo show of new creations by Kim Mupangilaï. The Belgian-Congolese, New York-based interior architect and designer was recently honored with The Boghossian Foundation International Prize for an innovative seating series, and will debut here an immersive installation echoing the beauty of a turn-of-the-century Belgian home.
Agnes Martin at Peter Blum Gallery
Agnes Martin, “Untitled,” 1965, signed and dated “a.martin ’65” on verso, ink on paper, frame: 15 x 15 inches, image: 8 7/8 x 7 7/8 in; courtesy of the artist and Peter Blum Gallery.
Peter Blum Gallery debuts heavenly artworks by artist Agnes Martin, juxtaposed with the lush creativity of Martha Tuttle and John Zurier. Untitled (1965) and Untitled (1979) by Martin beckon in gossamer layers of watercolor, ink, and graphite on paper. The purity of her trademark geometric works inspire a reckoning with human reason and nature’s mathematical prowess.
Odili Donald Odita and Doyle Lane at David Kordansky Gallery
Artwork by Odili Donald Odita; courtesy of the artist and David Kordansky Gallery.
Seven new paintings by the ever-inspired artist Odili Donald Odita will be showcased at David Kordansky Gallery, collaged with a series of luminous weed pots by Doyle Lane. Odita’s most recent explorations voyage colorfully through the multifaceted transitions and transformations of life, while Lane’s iconic creations from the 1960s and 70s illuminate the artist’s singular glazing processes.
Zanele Muholi and Cheick Diallo at Southern Guild
Zanele Muholi and Cheick Diallo artworks; Courtesy of the artists and Southern Guild.
Esteemed, South African gallery Southern Guild welcomes all into a gripping, debut exhibition at the 2025 edition of FOG Design+Art. Must-see presentations include Zanele Muholi’s sensual and nuanced photographic portraits, such as Somnyama Ngonyama (Hail, the Dark Lioness). In addition, groundbreaking Malian designer Cheick Diallo offers the depth and authenticity of sculptures in recycled metal.
“Come Rain or Shine” at Jessica Silverman Gallery
Clare Rojas, “Just Take It All,” 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Jessica Silverman, San Francisco. Photo: Phillip Maisel.
Jessica Silverman Gallery compels with an exquisite show titled “Come Rain or Shine.” Here, a diverse array of artists unite with astute artworks which speak to the “weather” in terms of swiftly changing tides of society and psychology. Visitors can expect to discover the unflinching creativity and empathy of Clare Rojas, Sadie Barnette, Andrea Bowers, Luke Butler, Judy Chicago, Sam Falls, Julian Hoeber, Loie Hollowell, and more.
