Art Fair Philippines 2026 Opens at Circuit Makati on February 6-8

From February 6 to 8, Art Fair Philippines returns to a new setting at Circuit Corporate Center One, Circuit Makati, positioning the former racetrack complex as a central site for the country’s contemporary art ecosystem. The move signals a shift not only in scale but in ambition, as the fair continues to connect Philippine art to regional and global conversations.

Following landmark editions at The Link and Ayala Triangle Gardens, the relocation to Circuit Makati offers greater spatial flexibility and a more integrated environment for galleries, curated projects, and public programming.

The 2026 edition brings together leading galleries from across the Philippines alongside exhibitors from France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Spain, reinforcing Manila’s growing role as a hub within the Asian and international art markets.

ArtFairPH/Projects

ArtFairPH/Projects, one of the most anticipated highlights of the fair, celebrates artistic excellence and experimental innovation, offering a deeper dive into the practices of both modern masters and contemporary visionaries.

By leading the contemporary lineup with Imelda Cajipe Endaya, the fair underscores its commitment to art that reflects the complexities of Philippine identity. Cajipe Endaya’s work, known for its deep exploration of domesticity, migration, and women’s empowerment, sets the tone for a section that bridges the gap between historical modernism and urgent contemporary practice.

Joining Cajipe Endaya in this formidable contemporary lineup is a diverse group of visionaries. Ambie Abaño explores the soul through printmaking, while Max Balatbat provides an architectural lens on urban life. The section further expands its material boundaries with the textile-based "material memories" of Ged Unson Merino, the meditative stoneware of ceramic pioneers Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, and a group of Filipino diaspora artists organized by the Berlin-based Sa Tahanan Co. collective

Cross-cultural perspective is provided by Spanish artist Ampparito, who subverts the mundane through provocative shifts in scale. This exhibit is the third consecutive year that the fair undertakes a special project in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.

In addition to these contemporary voices, ArtFairPH/Projects honors the foundations of Philippine art by featuring four late Filipino masters: Brenda Fajardo, Constancio Bernardo, Solomon Saprid, and Romeo Tabuena. Their inclusion ensures that the legacy of feminist social realism and geometric abstraction continues to resonate with a new generation of collectors.

For 2026, Art Fair Philippines once again worked with Nazareno/Lichauco for the exhibition design of this curated selection of exhibits.

ArtFairPH/Digital

The fair also continues its exploration of the intersection between art and technology in ArtFairPH/Digital. This section highlights works that incorporate animation, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse.

This year, the fair features painter and graphic artist TRNZ. His work depicts understated, quotidian scenes that hover between familiarity and unease by assembling "fragments" of personal and online imagery, inviting viewers into a shared experience of quiet emotional weight and introspection. He debuts The Keeper, an animated short film he created in collaboration with Fleet Studios. It explores the gravity of pressure in our society, and how the most important things fall through the cracks in pursuit of success, accolades, and external validation.

Joining him is the TLYR Collective, whose presentation centers on the theme of "digital alchemy." Through their immersive installations, TLYR Collective explores the fluidity of identity in virtual spaces, using generative art and augmented reality to challenge the boundaries between the physical and the simulated.

Developing audiences for contemporary art

Consistent with its mission to develop audiences for contemporary art, the fair also presents ArtFairPH/Talks in partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. These daily sessions offer deep dives into the evolving art landscape. Talks will offer an opportunity to listen to this year’s project artists discuss their work at the fair, as well as exchange views on art collecting and the art market. Speakers and specific topics for the 2026 sessions will be announced on the fair’s website.

In line with this goal, the fair also continues to expand the horizons of Filipino artists through ArtFairPH/Residencies. This 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 the 2026 edition, the fair is pleased to announce Anne-Laure Lemaitre as the curator for the residency grant. An independent curator and producer based in New York, Lemaitre is recognized for her work in cross-disciplinary projects and her expertise in navigating the intersection of public art, technology, and cultural storytelling. Applications are now officially open, inviting artists to engage in this transformative cross-cultural dialogue.

10 Days of Art

Coinciding with the fair is the 10 Days of Art initiative (January 30 to February 8), a series of events and museum openings that celebrate the best of Makati’s cultural spirit. Large-scale public art installations will be scattered throughout the Makati Central Business District, leading the way to the main event at Circuit Makati.

Tickets are now available at www.artfairphilippines.com. For the 2026 edition, regular daily admission is priced at PHP 750, while discounted tickets for students with valid IDs, senior citizens, and PWDs are available for PHP 500. Makati students with valid IDs may also avail of a specialized rate of PHP 300. The event will run from February 6 to 8, 2026, at Circuit Corporate Center One, The Circuit Makati, with on-site tickets also available for purchase at the Reception Desk throughout the fair's duration.

Art Fair Philippines is co-presented by Ayala Land Inc, Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Globe.

For more information and updates, visit the official website or follow Art Fair Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.