Gallery 16

Gallery 16, founded in 1993 by artist Griff Williams, has become an essential part of San Francisco’s contemporary art scene. From its location in a historic building in the South of Market neighborhood, the gallery has fostered an environment where artists are encouraged to take risks, explore new directions, and present work free from restrictive curatorial frameworks. This openness has made the space a hub for experimentation across painting, installation, performance, and, notably, photography.

Photography occupies an important place within Gallery 16’s program. The gallery has long recognized the medium as a dynamic field where traditional craft and contemporary innovation intersect. Many of its exhibitions highlight photographers who blur boundaries between documentary, conceptual, and experimental practices. These artists use the camera not just to record, but to probe questions of perception, memory, and narrative, offering works that resonate both visually and intellectually. By giving photographers the same freedom as painters and sculptors, the gallery has nurtured projects that might not have found space elsewhere, underscoring its belief in photography as a key component of contemporary expression.

The gallery’s commitment to printmaking through Gallery 16 Editions further enriches its photography program. By inviting artists to create editions in diverse formats—ranging from gravure and cyanotype to carbon pigment and digital processes—the gallery has fostered a dialogue between photographic traditions and experimental print practices. These editions not only expand the reach of the artists’ work but also underscore the technical and material possibilities of the photographic image.

Working with major institutions such as SFMOMA, LACMA, and the Whitney, Gallery 16 has helped place photography into significant museum collections, amplifying its importance on a global stage. Through its exhibitions, editions, and public projects, the gallery continues to champion photography as a vital and evolving force within contemporary art.