Philip Hoffman on the Art World in 2007

Alison Gingeras wants Charles Ray's painted stainless steel and porcelain sculpture of a chick in its egg. Philae Knight is hoping for a Helen Frankenthaler. What does Philip Hoffman, Chief Executive of the Fine Art Fund, hope he'll be unwrapping this holiday season? (Hint: Hoffman's taste is not as contemporary as Figure Painting's previous contributors to the year-in-review series.) The man who promotes art as an asset class also tells us his picks for the best of 2007 and forecasts the market for 2008.

Favorite Museum Exhibition

Gilbert & George, Tate Modern

Favorite Gallery Show

Sherrie Levine, Simon Lee Gallery and Very Abstract and Hyper Figurative, Thomas Dane Gallery

Defining Moment/Event

All the New York and London auctions would count as defining moments, as well as the Venice Biennale, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Holiday Wish List

I would love a Canaletto to hang over the mantelpiece, but perhaps that's being a bit greedy. However, I did just buy my 18-year-old daughter a Michael Landy editioned print for her gift from Thomas Dane's stand at Art Basel Miami Beach.

Predictions for 2008

I think there might be some corrections in some areas of the market, and certainly for specific artists, but we are predicting a strong and exciting market in all sectors in 2008, and I'm looking forward to it.

Canaletto, Venice, The Molo Looking West with the Doge's Palace, Photo Credit: Christie's Images/CORBIS