Art Fair Philippines is set to present its 2025 edition in a dynamic new venue at Ayala Triangle in Makati City from February 21 to 23. International exhibitors from Austria, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Spain will join leading Philippine art galleries to showcase curated exhibitions from local and foreign visual artists.

While the shift to the iconic venue at the heart of Makati Central Business District marks a new era for the fair, Art Fair Philippines continues to present an expansive program that aligns with its mission to develop the audiences for Philippine modern and contemporary art.

One of the most anticipated highlights of the fair is the ArtFairPH/Projects section, a collection of curated exhibits that celebrate artistic excellence and innovation, reinforcing the fair’s position as a key player in the global art scene.

For this edition, ArtFairPH/Projects, presented by BPI, features an extraordinary blend of established masters and emerging talents in Philippine contemporary art including Manny Garibay, Manuel Ocampo, Goldie Poblador, Ryan Rubio, and Jezzel Wee.  Continuing last year’s collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines as a Special Project Partner, the fair also features the work of Spanish collective SpY Studio. (artist essays attached in the press release)

Art Fair Philippines invited Nazareno/Lichauco to design the ArtFairPH/Projects space and the café for this year’s fair.

Another exciting section of the fair, the ArtFairPH/Digital section, presented by Globe, features digital media works that incorporate and engage with computer technology, animation, virtual or augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse.

For this section, artist and technologist Chia Amisola presents KAKAKOMPYUTER MO YAN (That’s what you get for using the computer!), a collaborative exhibition showcasing internet art and the third-world online experience.

Motion graphics artist and engineer Isaiah Cacnio also brings his creative and compelling visual storytelling to this section of the fair. His work, which often explores the themes of light, movement, and spatial dynamics, transforms ordinary spaces into immersive environments.

Screenings at the Amphitheater will feature more animated and digital work set up at the outdoor tiered space adjacent to the lawn of Ayala Triangle Gardens.

Learning at Art Fair Philippines

Since 2013, a vibrant educational program has been integral to Art Fair Philippines’ mission to develop a wider appreciation for contemporary and modern art. To this end, ArtFairPH/Talks offers fair visitors opportunities to deepen their art experience even more with a series of talks, panel discussions, workshops, and performance art that are designed to contextualize the art at the Fair.

Presented together with Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, ArtFariPH/Talks provides insight into artists’ works and lives, art forms, artistic processes, collectors and their interests, and other aspects of today’s complex art world.

One highlight of this year’s ArtFairPH/Talks program is a panel discussion on collection management from a collector’s point of view, in partnership with Larry’s List, the world’s leading art market knowledge company that provides data, research and access to contemporary art collectors.

A diverse range of topics will be explored at ArtFairPH/Talks, including insights into the featured artists’ practices, contemporary art programming, the landscape of digital art collecting in the Philippines, and more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Visit www.artfairphilippines.com or follow Art Fair Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for the full lineup of talks and panel discussions.

ArtFairPH/Film

Screenings of Kono Basho, the work of award-winning director J Pacena serves as the main feature of this year’s film program, with a talk-back scheduled with the film’s cast.  The work, included in the  Cinemalaya 2024 lineup, tells the story of a young Filipino-Japanese woman who travels to Japan for her estranged father’s funeral and her experience connecting with his Japanese family, especially with her half-sister.

Also scheduled is a special screening of The F.A.T. Boys!! Episode 1: Each One Teach One. The series, shot by American director Drew Milo, follows two friends, Mr. StarCity and Splashman LV in their travels.  The premiere episode, shot during their trip through the Philippines last year, features Toby Tamayo, the environmentalist based in La Union.  He welcomes the duo into his home and takes them through land he has reforested throughout the last decade with flora and fauna indigenous to the Philippines.

Both ArtFairPH/Talks and ArtFairPH/Film will take place at The Executive Centre, the fair’s venue partner.  Their spaces are located on the 6th and 8th floors of Ayala Triangle Tower 2.  Entrance to the Talks and Film sections comes with the cost of the fair’s ticket. 

ArtFairPH/Residencies

For 2025, Art Fair Philippines launches ArtFairPH/Residencies Curator’s Grant Program in collaboration with the Ateneo Art Gallery, the fair’s Education Partner.

Since its first edition, Art Fair Philippines has worked towards widening the local audience for contemporary art and highlighting the visual arts in a meaningful way. Through this residency, the fair hopes to open up the possibilities for Filipino artists even more. The aim of this three-week grant is to introduce selected international curators to the Philippine art scene.

10 Days of Art

Also complementing the fair is the 10 Days of Art initiative highlighting a series of events around the Makati Central Business District with participation by galleries, museums, and other establishments to celebrate the best of Philippine contemporary art beyond the fair’s venue.

Some of the exciting public art exhibitions include outdoor sculptures by Briccio Santos in Legazpi Park, an immersive and experiential installation by Kim Borja in Glorietta, and JEFRË’s Talking Heads at Circuit Makati.

Neal Oshima and Fotomoto will also transform the Legazpi Underpass and Greenbelt 3 Sunken Park into art exhibit venues, while TYLR Collective presents works at Paseo Villar Underpass.

Visit www.10daysofart.com for the full schedule, list of venues, and updates.

Fair tickets can be purchased in advance at www.artfairphilippines.com. Tickets will also be available at the reception area of Art Fair Philippines from February 21 to 23.

For more information, please visit the Art Fair Philippines website and follow Art Fair Philippines on Instagram (@artfairph) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/artfairph).

Art Fair Philippines 2025 is co-presented by AyalaLand, BPI, and Globe. The fair is also sponsored by Don Papa Rum, AyalaLand Premier, and special project partners The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and Make It Makati. Exhibition Partners include LG Electronics and Rhizome, while Fairmont Raffles Makati and SEDA serve as official hotel partners.