Art Fair Philippines 2026: A visual symphony of the senses
Contemporary art enthusiasts can rejoice this weekend, as Art Fair Philippines returns!
Running from Feb. 6-8, Art Fair is taking place at Circuit Makati Corporate Center, encompassing six floors of galleries, installations, and artists showcasing works from around the world.
For those arriving at Circuit Makati’s main driveway, the tone is immediately set as guests are greeted by Ronald Ventura’s massive "Carousel", a fully-functioning, dynamic installation adorned with whimsical depictions of mythical creatures. Cutting through the nearby supermarket takes visitors to the entrance of the Art Fair proper, but don’t let the line for the elevators dissuade you—the experience is worth the wait, whether you begin on the 5th floor and work your way up to 11 (or the other way around), there’s art here for every taste.
For those looking for a structured experience, tours are available at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., daily. Each lasts about 90 minutes, and the guides are happy to cede the floor to any artists who happen to be on hand to explain their creations.
A major highlight is ArtFairPH/Projects, a highly curated collection of installations centered around individual artists’ works. One of these was Ambie Abaño's "...beyond body...", an exploration of human mortality through the lens of a woman at different stages of her life. Abaño herself was on hand to greet visitors, sharing that she had drawn inspiration from her own mother’s experiences to create the larger-than-life panels that made up the installation.
Taking pride of place on the 6th floor is Max Balatbat's "Kapilya" installation, a haunting piece that repurposes used penitensya paraphernalia to address how Filipinos practice their Catholic faith. More low-key, yet no less provocative, “Tarot,” by visual artist Brenda V Fajardo stood as an oasis of relative tranquility, inviting guests to pause for a moment of active observation amidst the cacophony of sights and sounds.
In addition to showcasing established names and up-and-comers, Art Fair is also a chance to see works from masters who are no longer with us, such as Solomon Saprid, whose signature bronze sculptures are featured, including samples of his iconic “Tikbalang” series. Just around the corner, one can take in the deliberate lines and absolute fields of Constancio Bernardo’s “Parallel Visions: Abstract Visions”.
Moving on, our attention was immediately drawn to the elegant ceramic sculptures of husband-and-wife artists Tessy & Jon Pettyjohn. Their “Intersect” collection of whimsical columns featured flowing shapes and vibrant colors that belied their rigid structures. The Pettyjohns greeted our group, revealing that their process of collaboration was about complementing each other’s respective artistic styles, rather than one overlapping the other.
Different styles complementing each other to create a greater whole could just as well describe the beauty of Art Fair: Regardless of whether one’s interests lie in traditional painting, sculpture, digital art, or even video, the entire event has been curated in a manner ensuring something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.
While the venue logistics can be somewhat challenging this year, Art Fair Philippines is an event that’s well worth a visit, giving guests a fascinating snapshot of the current state of creativity and a great introduction to the world of modern art.
