Karen Kilimnik, the Delft Castle, 2014, Courtesy of the artist, Sprüth Magers, and Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich/New York.
Karen Kilimnik, the Delft Castle, 2014, Courtesy of the artist, Sprüth Magers, and Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich/New York.

March 1, 2022

Words: Athena Waligore

The Female Founders of Sprüth Magers Gallery Present an Exhibition of Leading Women Artists at Gallery 181 in San Francisco

Dubbed ‘the highest art gallery in the world,’ Gallery 181 is in a half-floor penthouse atop luxury residences in one of the tallest buildings in downtown San Francisco. The tower—181 Fremont with interiors by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy Design Associates and architecture by Heller Manus Architects—integrates an art program, led by art advisor Holly Baxter. Pop-up exhibitions held in Gallery 181 are by world-class galleries, and on view until March 31 is an exhibition by four of Sprüth Magers’ leading women artists. Dozens of ground-breaking works fill the gallery, including representative oil-on-canvas paintings by Karen Kilimnik, dye sublimation photographs by Louise Lawler, footstools with engraved texts by Jenny Holzer, and a video by Cao Fei.

“Across paintings, photographs, sculptures and video, the artists examine the objects and structures that surround, enclose and affect us day-to-day,” says Marta Fontolan, senior director of Sprüth Magers. The works are in conversation with the space, including panoramic vistas of the city. “The views of the building are the perfect dreamlike backdrop for the emergence and appreciation of these artworks,” says Marta Fontolan, senior director of Sprüth Magers. The gallery at 181 Fremont in San Francisco is open by appointment only. “Cao Fei, Jenny Holzer, Karen Kilimnik and Louise Lawler” is on view until March 31.

Karen Kilimnik, The cloven hoof in the woods, 2006, Water soluble oil color on canvas. Courtesy of Sprüth Magers.
Karen Kilimnik, The cloven hoof in the woods, 2006, Water soluble oil color on canvas. Image courtesy of Sprüth Magers.
Karen Kilimnik, the Delft Castle, 2014, Courtesy of the artist, Sprüth Magers, and Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich/New York.
Karen Kilimnik, the Delft Castle, 2014. Image courtesy of the artist, Sprüth Magers, and Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich/New York.
Cao Fei, Asia One, 02, 2018, Inkjet print on paper, Courtesy of Sprüth Magers.
Cao Fei, Asia One, 02, 2018, Inkjet print on paper. Image courtesy of Sprüth Magers.
Louise Lawler, Hair, 2005/2019, Silver dye bleach print on museum box, Courtesy of the artist and Sprüth Magers.
Louise Lawler, Hair, 2005/2019, Silver dye bleach print on museum box. Image courtesy of the artist and Sprüth Magers.
Jenny Holzer, Selection from Truisms: The unattainable..., 2019 Text: Truisms (1977–79)
Jenny Holzer, Selection from Truisms: The unattainable…, 2019 Text: Truisms (1977–79) Azul do Mar quartzite footstool. Image courtesy of Sprüth Magers.

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