The eighth edition of FOG Design+Art closed on Sunday, January 23, 2022, following a pause in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exhibitors, curators, collectors and attendees reported a strong return to the fair, noting great sales, well-curated presentations and excellent attendance throughout the fair’s run in San Francisco. FOG featured an international selection of 45 art and design galleries, including ten dealers participating for the first time.

The fair opened on Wednesday, January 19 at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture with a Preview Gala benefiting the educational programs and exhibitions of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). 

While operating at reduced capacity to curtail the spread of COVID-19, FOG Design+Art sold out its ticket tiers throughout the weekend and hosted several standing room-only talks, including a fireside chat about NFTs with Ethan Beard (Yoz) and Dylan Field (Figma); a look at the future of museums moderated by Sarah Hotchkiss (KQED), in conversation with Janet Bishop (SFMOMA), Ali Gass (ICA San Francisco), Daniel Nevers (Berkeley Art Center) and Julie Rodrigues Widholm (BAMPFA); and a discussion about the lasting impact of Isamu Noguchi moderated by Jennifer Dunlop Fletcher (SFMOMA) with Stephen Burks (Stephen Burks Man Made) and Dakin Hart (The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum).

Exhibitors had very strong sales throughout the fair’s run and celebrated the return of the event. Jessica Silverman, owner of Jessica Silverman Gallery, said, "Over the past two years we've grown so much as a gallery and the return of FOG is a very hopeful moment reminding us how art builds and sustains community. It was especially heartening to witness so many artists we work with gathered at our booth throughout the opening preview, alongside those that we know and love from the community. We are delighted by the reception we have so far received."

“Michael Rosenfeld Gallery's inaugural presentation at FOG Design+Art, Romare Bearden: Collage/In Context—a dual presentation of exhibitions exploring the evolution of collage practices throughout the 20th and 21st centuries—achieved sales to both museums and private collections and gave the gallery the opportunity to reconnect with the region's most serious collectors,” noted staff at Michael Rosenfeld Gallery.

 “We are very grateful to participate in FOG again this year. Despite the challenges of Covid, the fair was well organized and very well attended. We experienced a great level of support from local collectors as well as new clients. It is very nice to see some of our favorite colleagues participating in what I call ‘The best regional art fair in America!’ We also very much enjoyed having a shared booth with Alexander Berggruen, who had a most beautiful presentation,” said John Berggruen, Berggruen Gallery.

Owner Tina Kim of Tina Kim Gallery said, “We were delighted to return to FOG Design+Art for a second year. We prepared a highly curated selection of work by eight historically influential artists, successfully placed a number of works, and saw a lot of audience interest in the artists. The fair provided us with a platform that felt safe and allowed us to connect with colleagues and west coast institutions while sharing the depth of our roster with collectors."

“We were totally blown away by our first experience presenting at FOG. There’s been an overwhelming demand for the work of Masako Miki, who has a large watercolor being acquired by a major museum. There’s also been incredible interest and support of Rebekah Goldstein, Zhivago Duncan, Curtis Talwst Santiago, and Nicki Green’s works. It’s been incredible to reconnect with the public again and to have such wonderful, meaningful conversations in person. We’re very grateful to FOG’s steering committee for including us, and for the continued Bay Area support," said Aimee Friberg, CULT Aimee Friberg Exhibitions.

"Haines Gallery is thrilled to be part of FOG's triumphant return to Fort Mason. By Saturday, we had sold all works on view by Meghann Riepenhoff, as well as pieces by British sculptor David Nash and Bay Area painter Robert Stone," said Cheryl Haines, Haines Gallery.

"We are thrilled to share that the ICA Miami has acquired a painting by Hulda Guzmán as a museum purchase with funds generously provided by John Auerbach and Ed Tang," said Alexander Berggruen, Alexander Berggruen Gallery.

Additional sales at the fair included:

Pace Gallery experienced strong sales, including great sales for digital art—an area of visual art that Pace has long championed—by artist Leo Villareal, who has ties to the Bay Area. Highlights include: 

• Two works by Sam Gilliam, including a 1971 painting for $750,000 and a 2021 work on paper for $180,000
• Three editions of a 2021 sculpture by Lynda Benglis, each priced at $175,000
• Three editions of a 2021 digital installation by Leo Villareal, each for $150,000
• Torkwase Dyson’s painting I Am Everything That Will Save Me for $100,000 
• Two ceramic and steel sculptures by Arlene Shechet from her Together series, each for $55,000
• Two editions of a 2021 photograph by Richard Learoyd for $50,000 each 
• A 2021 sculpture by Yoshitomo Nara  

Gladstone Gallery reports FOG Fair 2022 being one of the most successful editions of FOG the gallery has had. Sales highlights include: an Elizabeth Peyton painting that sold for $550,000, a Richard prince hood (2013-2015) that sold for $1.7 million, several Robert Bechtle drawings that sold for $35,000 each, a Keith Haring bronze panel that sold for around half a million, a work by Jim Hodges that sold for $80,000, and two Amy Sillman drawings that sold for $45,000 each.

Hauser+Wirth had very strong sales, selling major works by Rita Ackermann for $550,000, a Frank Bowling painting for $500,000, a George Condo work for $650,000, a Luchita Hurtados oil painting for $350,000, a Lorna Simpson photograph for $350,000, and a Cindy Sherman work for $150,000.

Pt. 2 Gallery sold works by Soumaya Netrabile, Muzae, Liz Hernandez, Kelly Ordings and Maria Paz, leading to nearly $150,000 in booth sales, accompanied by strong sales at the gallery.

Jessica Silverman Gallery had several notable sales, including Clare Rojas' two-panel painting Just Watching (2021) priced at $130,000, five works by Samuel Falls, including his painting Spring to Fall (2021) priced at $70,000, two works by Rupy C. Tut, and two works of glazed ceramic works by Pae White priced between $26,000–$36,000. There was major institutional interest in artworks presented, with an institutional hold placed on one work by Pae White.

Tina Kim Gallery sold many works, including by Ha Chong-Hyun, Park Seo-bo, Kim Tschang Yeul, and Kibong Rhee, sold in the price range of $100,000-$300,000. In addition, a work by contemporary artist Suki Seokyeong Kang sold for $30,000.

Patrick Parrish Gallery sold three of Liam Lee’s, chairs including one to a major institution for their permanent collection. The prices ranged from $18,500-$16,500. 

Friends Indeed sold paintings by Jiab Prachakul and Lauren Quin to major institutions.

Nina Johnson Gallery sold several works by Francesca DiMattio.

Blum & Poe sold more than half of the work presented at the Preview Gala alone.

David Zwirner sold works by Lisa Yuskavage, Oscar Murillo, Ruth Asawa, Oscar Murillo, Josef Albers, Nate Lowman, Lucas Arruda, Anni Albers, Suzan Frecon, Bridget Riley and Al Taylor, among others. 

Michael Rosenfeld Gallery sold several major works, including by Hannelore Baron, Romare Bearden, Balcomb Greene, Gertrude Greene, Grace Hartigan and Betye Saar.

Hosfelt gallery sold an important Bruce Conner sculpture and six paintings by the German artist, Jutta Haeckel. 

Magen H Gallery sold works by Alexandre Noll, Mado Jolain, André Borderie and Pierre & Vera Szekely, Peter Orlando, Pierre Chapo, Pierre Sabatier and Pierre Blanc.

RYAN LEE sold works by Martine Gutierrez, Masako Miki, and Clifford Ross.

Altman Siegel sold large-scale sculptures and a series of small paintings by Koak.