A weekend of art in open spaces sounds like a great time actually.
Related: Unlocking Urban Art: 7 Must-Visit Galleries in Metro Manila
ICYDK, February is National Arts Month in the Philippines, which is why it feels fitting that the month ends on one of the biggest art events in the country. We are of course talking about Art Fair Philippines, which brings both art lovers and casual fans locally and abroad for a weekend of art and creativity in Makati.
The fair returns this 2025 with specially commissioned works, gallery exhibits, film screenings, and art talks set to transform a slice of the city into a dynamic and multi-dimensional platform that showcases the ingenuity and diversity of Philippine art. But what makes this edition extra special is that Art Fair PH is heading outdoors with its new venue at Ayala Triangle. Here’s a preview of what you can expect at Art Fair Philippines’ return this February 21-23.
THERE’S A NEW VENUE
Art Fair Philippines normally turns The Link carpark into its home base, but this 2025 and after 11 years, they’re packing up and moving, though not that far, as they’re heading to Ayala Triangle for this year’s venue. This urban green space (one of the few in Metro Manila) at the heart of the Philippines’ financial capital will serve as the backdrop for the fair, giving the show a new energy with its open spaces and easier accessibility for Filipinos.
More importantly, the move underscores the fair’s commitment to developing the audiences for Philippine modern and contemporary art, and its mission to make art more engaging for all. Enjoying art in the open air is lokwey a vibe, so a new setting is just what we need as we head into the summer season.
THEIR WILL BE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS
What’s an art fair without the art, right? As expected, Art Fair Philippines is coming through with exhibitors from the country and beyond. 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 at Ayala Triangle Gardens Towers 1 and 2. Speaking of Philippine art galleries, dozens will be present to make the presence of the local arts and creative scene known.
The participating galleries in Art Fair Philippines 2025 are: Ames Yavuz, Archivo 1984, Art Agenda, Art Cube Gallery, Art for Space, Art Lounge Manila, Art Underground, Art Verité Gallery, Artemis Art, Avellana Art Gallery, Boston Art Gallery, CANVAS, Cartellino, Cayón, Core Contemporary, FINE-ARTS MANILA / Zimmermann-Kratochwill Graz, Austria, FotoMoto, Gajah Gallery, Galeria Palona, Galerie Stephanie, GALLERY KOGURE, J Studio, Kaida Contemporary, Kobayashi Gallery, León Gallery, Lopez Museum, METRO Gallery, Modeka Art, MONO8, Orange Project, Parallel +, Paseo Art Gallery, Pintô Art Museum and Arboretum, Qube Gallery, Secret Fresh Gallery, SHUKADO+GALLERY SCENA, SILVERLENS, TARZEER PICTURES, The Columns Gallery, TLYR Collective, Tomura Lee, Triangulum, Village Art Gallery, Vin Gallery, White Walls Gallery, YOD Gallery, and YSOBEL Art Gallery.
MANY PROGRAMS FOR ALL KINDS OF ART LOVERS
Art Fair Philippines is taking over Ayala Triangle for three days of showcasing art through different mediums and stories. Regardless of how you consume art, there’s something for everyone at Art Fair PH. 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. For this edition, ArtFairPH/Projects 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.
Another exciting section of the fair, ArtFairPH/Digital, 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, a collaborative exhibition showcasing internet art and the third-world online user experience. Motion graphics artist and engineer Isaiah Cacnio also brings his creative and compelling visual storytelling to the fair. His work, which often explores the themes of light, movement, and spatial dynamics, transforms ordinary spaces into immersive environments.
For something a little more educational, ArtFairPH/Talks offers fair visitors opportunities to deepen their art experience with a series of talks, panel discussions, workshops, and performance art. 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.
Cinephiles attending the fair may want to check out the ArtFairPH/Film section. Screenings of Kono Basho, directed by J Pacena and premiered at Cinemalaya 2024, serve as the main feature of this year’s film program, with a talk-back scheduled with the film’s cast. 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.
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.
Finally, in the lead up to and complementing the actual fair, there will also be the annual 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. It isn’t just Ayala Triangle that’s getting an art-coded makeover with exhibits and instillations around Makati until February 23.
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 will showcase works at the Paseo Villar Underpass.
Art Fair Philippines 2025 takes place at Ayala Triangle from February 21-23. If you want to get in on the action, fair tickets can be purchased here. Tickets will also be available at the reception area of Art Fair Philippines from February 21-23.
Photos courtesy of Art Fair Philippines
Continue Reading: Channel Your Inner Sculptor At These 8 Pottery and Ceramic Studios
