Art Fair Philippines 2026: 8 galleries to check out

Art Fair Philippines has arrived, transforming an office space into an arts and culture hub for the weekend.

From February 6 to 8, the best of Filipino contemporary art will share a single space at the Circuit Corporate Plaza in Makati City. 

There are countless eye-catching pieces at the fair, and here are some of the must-sees:

Ayala Land Premier, 5th floor

Take a trip through history with pieces from the Ayala Museum at “Places of Remembrance.” Located at Ayala Land Premier’s space, the exhibit presents three of the Philippines’ history-making artists, Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zobel.

Among the pieces are “Lady at the Racetrack” by Juan Luna, “Untitled (Landscape with Firetree)” by Fernando Amorsolo, and “Mariveles A/P” by Fernando Zobel.

The exhibit, located on the same floor as registration, is a good place to start to understand the beginnings of Filipino art.

ArtFair/Projects, 6th floor

The whole sixth floor is dedicated to ArtFair/Projects, often dubbed the fair’s heart and soul. It is the annual project curated by the organizers, featuring artists across all ages and hometowns.

This year follows the concept of a Filipino town plaza. Often, the place of worship is placed in the center, and that is exactly what was done with “Kapilya” by Max Balatbat. It features a three-dimensional chapel, inspired by a chapel that his grandmother built at the end of their street in Caloocan. Inside are statues of Jesus Christ and a moving bulyos, which is the instrument used in penitensya. It also features a young girl selling sampaguita with her underwear drawn down to the ankles. “Kapilya” looks at the theme of how faith is lived at the edges.

Another memorable space is Ged Unson Merino’s “The Journey is Home.” The art exhibit features mosquito nets (kulambo) as the central object, and asks the question of whether being inside it is isolation or protection.

Finally, there are the pieces by Brenda V. Fajardo, prolific printmaker and theater practitioner. One of the notable pieces is the illustrated tarot cards, and guests can also draw their own.

Cartellino, 7th floor

Cartellino presents two exhibits. In “When Time Looks Back,” with pieces by Allan Balisi and Kiko Escora, the artists showcase their versions of the human figure, and explore how time is felt or experienced.

The second exhibit, “Sa Gitna ng Balintataw” (“At the Center of the Pupil”), features the works of Cian Dayrit and Mark Salvatus, who show their different yet equally critical views, using folkloric references to interpret and critique modern society.

Art Agenda, 7th floor

Art Agenda might just be the gallery with the most diverse pieces, featuring artists ranging from Yayoi Kusama to Ang Kiukok.

Yayoi Kusama’s “Yellow Tree” welcomes art lovers, followed by three of Takashi Murakami’s pieces: “Flower Parent and Child,” “A Bouquet in a Basket,” and “When Life Boundlessly Flares Up.”

A large piece by BenCab and Moooi Carpets, “Madonna IV,” takes up the middle space.

Arturo Luz’s “Kyoto,” Ronald Ventura’s “Sleep,” Elmer Borlongan’s “DJ Microgroove,” and Emmanuel Garibay’s “Untitled” are also found in the gallery.

Core Contemporary, 8th floor

Core Contemporary’s space, although small, feels like stepping into a world of technicolor.

Pieces and subject matter range from eyeballs to daing na bangus, from a bright portrait to still life of fruits.

Yod Gallery, 8th floor

Similarly, Yod Gallery is a space filled with color.

It features bright ceramic donuts by Jae Yong Kim and anime-like paintings by Samehoshi. More pieces follow styles of pop art and portraiture, making it a feast for the eyes.

J Studio, 9th floor

It’s hard to miss J Studio.

Carlo Tanseco’s “Ibang Label” showcases everyday items, but enlarged and three-dimensional. More than that, Tanseco adds witty sentences to each one.

Next to it is Ian Anderson’s “Spoiled Brat or Inner Child?” showcasing eye-catching pieces like “Wonderful Days of Illicit Late-Afternoon Buzzes” and “Avid Namedropper.”

Kidlat Tahimik, 11th floor

On the 11th floor, the topmost and final floor of the Art Fair, an exhibit dedicated to Kidlat Tahimik is housed. Although a visual artist himself, none of the works are by him—but are by his students, friends, and family members, who have all done their own rendition of the National Artist in their own individualistic media and styles.

“All these art pieces, they’re accumulated over the years, 50 years. You’d see portraits made by my wife in 1973 and my grandsons, but they accumulated in the house. I did not commission any of the work,” he told GMA News Online during a tour.

“For me to see it, it’s like looking through an album, you know. Ang dami mong pictures, bata pa, and then paano dumaan itong mga taon. So fast,” he added. “It also reminds you of your artistic process kasi itong mga different artists here, may paintings, may cloth murals, quilt work, may bato na cinarve. It’s a framing by other artists.” 

The space itself was designed to bring the Cordilleras to Manila, such as through decorative pieces inspired by shamans. 

—JCB, GMA Integrated News