The 12th edition of Fog Design+Art in San Francisco opened with a record-breaking preview gala on January 21, drawing over 2,700 guests. The fair features 65 presentations from local and international dealers, with standout booths including Jessica Silverman's blue-hued works and Hauser & Wirth's $1m sale of Jack Whitten's 'Solar Space' (1971). Large-scale paintings dominate, alongside a notable abundance of botanical imagery, while geometric abstractions outnumber representational works. The fair's director, Sydney Blumenkranz, noted a particularly buoyant mood and strong attendance from tech industry leaders.
This year's Fog Design+Art signals a potential rebound for the art market after a period of smaller works and cautious spending. The prevalence of monumental paintings and strong sales—including a seven-figure transaction—reflects renewed optimism among dealers and collectors. The fair's emphasis on nature-themed works over tech aesthetics, combined with high attendance from Silicon Valley figures, underscores San Francisco's unique position as a nexus of art, technology, and wealth. The event serves as an early bellwether for the 2025 art market's trajectory.