What to expect at the Art Fair Philippines' takeover in Circuit Makati

New venue 

Art Fair Philippines is known for its striking artwork displays in Makati's The Link and One Ayala, but for this version, they are turning the former racetrack complex Circuit Makati into a central site for the country’s contemporary art ecosystem.

Speaking for the exhibit, Art Fair Philippines co-founder Lisa Periquet said the move is not only a change in scale but a change of ambition to further bring forward Philippine art to global conversations.

Art Fair Philippines is set to take over Circuit Corporate Centre One, occupying six levels. Visitors can immerse themselves in the exhibits daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To make the commute effortless, a complimentary shuttle service will run between One Ayala and Circuit Makati.

ArtFairPH/Projects

As with previous iterations, Art Fair Philippines will see the familiar art sections as it brings together leading galleries across the Philippines alongside exhibitors from France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Spain

One of the most anticipated exhibits is ArtFairPH/Projects, which honors artistic excellence with experimental innovation, offering an intimate look into the practices of modern masters and contemporary visionaries alike.

Leading the contemporary lineup is Imelda Cajipe Endaya, whose historical modern art reflects the complexities of Philippine identity in its deep exploration of domesticity, migration, and women’s empowerment. Joining her is Ambie Abaño, who offers a soulful exploration through printmaking, while Max Balatbat gives an architectural look at urban life. Material boundaries are pushed in this section, with the textile-based "material memories" of Ged Unson Merino, the meditative stoneware of Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, and the Berlin-based Sa Tahanan Co. collective's group of Filipino diaspora artists.

Spanish artist Ampparito is also joining the fray through a partnership with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines. He subverts mundane things into provocative works of art.

ArtFairPH/Projects will also honor the foundations of Philippine art as it features four late Filipino masters: Brenda Fajardo, Constancio Bernardo, Solomon Saprid, and Romeo Tabuena in a showcase of feminist social realism and geometric abstraction.

Art Fair Philippines also worked with Nazareno/Lichauco once again for the exhibition design of the curated selection of exhibits.  

ArtFairPH/Digital

This section continues its exploration of the intersection between art and technology as it highlights works that incorporate animation, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse.

This year, the fair will bring the spotlight to painter and graphic artist TRNZ, whose work assembles "fragments" of personal and online imagery, inviting viewers into a shared experience of quiet emotional weight and introspection. He will debut his animated short film, The Keeper, created in collaboration with Fleet Studios, which explores the gravity of societal pressure.

Also featured is TLYR Collective, whose presentation focuses on "digital alchemy." Through their immersive installations, they will explore the fluidity of identity in virtual spaces using generative art and augmented reality.

ArtFairPH/Talks

In partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, ArtFairPH/Talks provides daily sessions of deep dives into the evolving art landscape. It will offer a listening platform to this year’s project artists as they discuss their works and exchange views on art collecting and the art market.

Speakers and specific topics will be announced on the fair’s website.

ArtFairPH/Residencies

The ArtFairPH/Residencies program aims to open up new possibilities for local artists by facilitating a global exchange of ideas and introducing selected international curators to the vibrant Philippine art scene.

For this year, New York-based independent curator and producer Anne-Laure Lemaitre will curate for the residency grant. She is recognized for her cross-disciplinary projects and her expertise in navigating the intersection of public art, technology, and cultural storytelling.

Applications are now open for artists interested in engaging in transformative cross-cultural dialogue.

10 Days of Art

From Jan. 30 to Feb. 8, the 10 Days of Art initiative will coincide with the fair, bringing in a series of events and museum openings that celebrate the best of Makati’s cultural spirit. Large-scale public art installations will be spread throughout the Makati Central Business District, leading to a main event at Circuit Makati.

All the participating exhibitors in the fair include 1Art Cube Gallery, Art for Space, Art Lounge Manila,  Archivo 1984, Art Underground, Ames Yavuz, Boston Art Gallery, Avellana Art Gallery, Artemis Art, Art Verité Gallery, CCP x Scarletbox, Cayon, Cartellino, Caiyun Art, GALLERT KOGURE, Galerie Stephanie, Gajah Gallery, CORE Contemporary Art, Kawata Gallery, Kaida Contemporary, J STUDIO,  ISTORYA STUDIOS, Pintô Art Museum and Arboretum, Parallel+, Orange Project, León Gallery, Silverlens, SHUKADO+SCENA, ROSE STUDIO ART GALLERY, Qube Gallery, The METRO Gallery, The Crucible Gallery, The Columns Gallery, TARZEER PICTURES, Village Art Gallery, Triangulum, Tomura Lee, TLYR Collective, Ysobel Art Gallery, YOD Gallery, Yeo Kaa (Ames Yavuz), White Walls Gallery, among others.

Tickets to the fair are now available at www.artfairphilippines.com. Regular daily admission is priced at P750, while discounted tickets for students with valid IDs, senior citizens, and PWDs are available for P500. Makati students with valid IDs may also avail of a specialized rate of P300. On-site tickets are also available for purchase at the Reception Desk.