Experience the Triumph of Art at Frieze Los Angeles 2026!
Frieze Los Angeles Kicks Off with Major Art Sales and Enthusiastic Attendance
The Frieze Los Angeles 2026 art fair, a pivotal event for the West Coast's high-end art market, commenced on Thursday, February 26th, at the Santa Monica Airport. The initial hours of the fair were marked by a flurry of significant transactions from both leading contemporary and blue-chip galleries. A notable highlight was David Zwirner's sale of a mixed-media piece by Njideka Akunyili Crosby, which commanded an impressive $2.8 million.
Brisk Sales and Celebrity Presence Drive Early Success
The fair experienced rapid sales during its opening, drawing in a distinguished crowd of prominent collectors, influential museum leaders, and notable figures from the entertainment industry, including actors Emma Watson and Christoph Waltz. By late afternoon, established galleries reported successful sales of works by their top artists, alongside considerable interest in emerging artists featured in the Focus section, dedicated to newer galleries.
Dealer Insights: A Dynamic and Confident Market
Dealer Thaddaeus Ropac observed, "Attendance has been robust today, accompanied by a great energy. We've seen largely U.S. collectors, as well as institutional representatives from around town." He added that their presentation was well-received, with initial sales occurring within the first few hours and ongoing consideration for other significant artworks.
Art as a Symbol of Resilience and Community Support
Held a year after devastating fires in Los Angeles, the fair held profound significance for the city's cultural community, many of whom were still in the process of rebuilding their studios, homes, and neighborhoods. In this context, the strong opening-day sales and visible institutional backing not only demonstrated market confidence but also underscored a broader commitment to nurturing Los Angeles's dynamic creative ecosystem.
Key Sales Highlights from Frieze Los Angeles 2026
Here, we present a summary of some of the leading initial sales reported by galleries at Frieze Los Angeles, with a comprehensive market report to follow next week.
David Zwirner's Stellar Performance
Beyond the leading Crosby sale, David Zwirner also reported selling a painting by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye for $1.5 million, a new work on paper by Lisa Yuskavage for $280,000, and another small Yuskavage painting for $180,000. Additionally, the gallery sold four new paintings by Louis Fratino, priced between $35,000 and $75,000 each, and four works by Emma McIntyre, ranging from $24,000 to $38,000.
White Cube Features Antony Gormley
White Cube successfully sold three significant sculptures from its solo presentation of Antony Gormley, with prices ranging from £500,000 ($673,787) to £800,000 ($1.07 million) each.
Thaddaeus Ropac's Diverse Offerings
Thaddaeus Ropac announced the sale of an Alex Katz painting for $700,000 and a David Salle work for $280,000. Further sales included a Liza Lou piece for $225,000, a Joan Snyder painting for $140,000, a Georg Baselitz work on paper for €85,000 ($100,342), and a Martha Jungwirth painting for €75,000 ($88,537).
Pace Gallery's Notable Transactions
Pace Gallery sold a Jean Dubuffet painting for $475,000 and an Emily Kam Kngwarray painting for $450,000. They also placed a Robert Longo sculpture for $175,000 and two Longo works on paper for $90,000 each. A new painting by Friedrich Kunath also sold for $155,000.
Almine Rech's Impressive Sales
Almine Rech reported selling an Ewa Juszkiewicz painting in the $800,000 to $850,000 range, an Aaron Curry sculpture for between $210,000 and $245,000, and a Joe Andoe painting for $110,000 to $120,000.
Garth Greenan Gallery's Strong Performance
Garth Greenan Gallery successfully sold a painting by Howardena Pindell for $875,000 and a work by Emmi Whitehorse for $150,000.
Karma's Significant Placements
Karma sold a Jonas Wood work for $650,000 and placed additional works by Nicolas Party for $150,000 and Ann Craven for $140,000.
Lisson Gallery's Curated Offerings
Lisson Gallery's reported sales included a Carmen Herrera painting for $380,000, a Hugh Hayden sculpture for $300,000, and a Leon Polk Smith painting for $200,000.
Gagosian's Brisk Activity
Gagosian reported "brisk" sales throughout the day, with several works achieving six to seven-figure prices.
Tina Kim Gallery's Diverse Roster
Tina Kim Gallery sold two paintings by Ha Chong-Hyun for $180,000 and $250,000 each, alongside two textile works by Lee ShinJa for $70,000 and $180,000 each. Additional sales included a Kim Tschang-Yeul painting for $70,000, two Maia Ruth Lee paintings for $25,000 and $18,000, and a ceramic piece by Jane Yang D'Haene for $25,000.