THE Philippine art industry collaborates for Art Fair Philippines (ArtFairPH) 2024, the leading venue for exhibiting and selling Filipino modern and contemporary art.
Since the inception of ArtFairPH, co-founder Trickie Lopa emphasized in an email interview that collaborating with artists, curators, galleries, and art educators fosters a sense of community. “The more people are involved in a project, the more these varied groups invest in your vision,” Lopa said.
For Lopa, ultimately, art has an ecosystem that the fair is part of. “Perhaps it is fair to say we have spurred the development of this ecosystem by expanding the audience for the visual arts,” Lopa also said.
But as an ecosystem, “we have symbiotic relationships with the various components,” Lopa added. Working together just reinforces this interdependence on each other’s success, she also added.
From February 16 to 18, ArtFairPH transforms The Link in Makati City into a multi-level exhibition hub for Filipino modern and contemporary art.
Top Filipino galleries join forces with foreign counterparts from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Metaverse.
In a space designed by Ed Lacson, ArtFairPH/Projects features works by Filipino artists like Jonathan Ching, Jigger Cruz, Gean Brix Garcia, and Rod Paras-Perez. Special exhibits include Mr. StarCity, Andreea Medar, and a performance piece by Eugenio Ampudia.
Another special exhibit, “Pambabae,” reevaluates the contributions of Filipina women modernists. Artists include Ivi Avellana Cosio, Ileana Lee, Nelfa Querubin, Evelyn Collantes, Phyllis Zaballero, and Lilian Hwang.
ArtFairPH 2024 marks the 10th anniversary and conclusion of the Karen H. Montinola (KHM) Selection grant, awarded to visual artist Gean Brix Garcia. A retrospective exhibit curated by Norman Crisologo features past grant recipients.
Visual reports of selected residency artists’ experiences in 2023, joined by international artists Iseult Perrault and Petr Hajdyla in 2024.
The 2024 edition continues its partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery, offering talks on various artistic aspects and a demonstration on artwork conservation.
David Gryn, founder of Daata, presents Best Dressed Chicken (Manila Version), a digital video art selection. The Digital section collaborates with CryptoArt PH to showcase Filipino talent in NFTs and blockchain technology.
FotomotoPH is the sole exhibitor, curated by Sandra Palomar, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
ArtFairPH/Film presents “NO SHOWING,” a project curated by filmmaker Moira Lang, focused on conversations, music, and beer.
The 10 Days of Art initiative complements the fair with events around Makati. Public art includes works by Derek Tumala and a video projection by Isaiah Cacnio, AJ Dimarucot, and Carlos. The Gallery Weekend from February 9 to 11 encourages visitors to explore gallery exhibitions.
As Art Fair Philippines has grown through the years, “these figures, we believe, have caught the attention of art enthusiasts and professionals in the ASEAN region,” Lopa noted.
