Art Fair Philippines 2026 Celebrates Filipino Creativity and International Partnerships at Circuit Makati
From February 6 to 8, Art Fair Philippines returns to showcase the vibrant tapestry of Filipino artistic expression, moving to its new venue at Circuit Makati. This year's edition brings together approximately 50 exhibitors, highlighting both emerging and established artists while strengthening Manila's position in regional and global art conversations.
The fair continues its tradition of occupying unexpected spaces, having previously transformed The Link and Ayala Triangle Gardens. Circuit Makati represents another step in democratizing art access, moving beyond traditional white-walled galleries to spaces where communities naturally gather.
Honoring Filipino Masters and Contemporary Voices
This year's spotlight falls on several distinguished Filipino artists whose work reflects our nation's rich cultural heritage and contemporary concerns.
Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, the renowned visual artist, curator, and activist, presents "A Votary's Art." Her exhibition features prints spanning decades of work exploring Filipino identity, women's experiences, and migrant worker lives, often incorporating indigenous materials with recycled objects.
Ambie Abaño pushes woodcut boundaries by experimenting with fabric and wood surfaces, while Max Balatbat recreates his grandmother's chapel from Caloocan, examining the intersection of religion, spirituality, and urban Filipino life.
The fair also honors Constancio Bernardo (1913), Fernando Amorsolo's former student who studied at Yale under Josef Albers. His rarely-seen abstract works, preserved by his family, will be displayed for public viewing.
International Collaborations Strengthen Cultural Ties
Galleries from France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and Spain participate alongside Philippine exhibitors. Notably, Spanish artist Ampparito presents a performance installation in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy, handwriting calendar days until 2099 as a meditation on mortality and time's passage.
The ceramic pioneers Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn present "Sa Tahanan Co.," examining Filipino objects in foreign archives through a postcolonial lens, inviting reflection on how our culture has been shaped beyond our borders.
Technology Meets Traditional Art
Embracing digital innovation, the fair showcases works in animation, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse. TRNZ (Terence Eduarte) debuts "The Keeper," an animated short exploring societal pressure, while TLYR Collective presents a digital alchemy-themed installation challenging boundaries between physical and virtual spaces.
Community Engagement and Education
Partnership with Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines brings daily artist discussions and art market insights. The ArtFairPH/Residencies program continues facilitating global exchanges for Filipino artists while introducing international curators to our local scene.
"10 Days of Art" (January 30-February 8) features large-scale public installations throughout Makati Central Business District, including works by Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan at Ayala Tower One and Ronald Ventura's "Carousel" at Ayala Malls Circuit.
The fair runs daily from 10 AM to 9 PM at Circuit Corporate Center 1, with day passes available on-site. Group bookings for over 10 persons require advance email to [email protected].