Art Fair Philippines 2026 transforms a Makati office building into muli-level art spaces

Art Fair Philippines has turned the office building of Circuit Corporate Center One in Circuit Makati into a multi-level playground for the arts for its 13th edition from February 6 to 8.

“We have transformed an office building… and that’s the most interesting part. Part of our DNA is turning spaces not originally meant for art into spaces for art, Liza Ongpin-Periquet, co-founder of Art Fair Philippines, told BusinessWorld during the fair’s media preview on Thursday.

Art Fair Philippines said, the move to the new venue aligns with the fair’s vision of transforming the former racetrack complex into a central hub for the country’s contemporary art ecosystem.

The building also offers practical features, allowing for spatial flexibility and a more integrated experience for galleries, projects, and public programming.

Geraldine “Dindin” B. Araneta, also a co-founder, said this year’s edition showcases around 55 galleries, featuring works from local artists as well as international artists from Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Spain, and France.

The fair aims to reinforce Manila’s growing role as a hub in the Asian and international art markets, the organization noted.

BusinessWorld spotted several notable personalities at the fair, including former Makati City Mayor Mar-len Abigay Binary-Campos, and Gawad Urian awardee Filipina actress Angel Aquino.

Among the highlights of Art Fair Philippines 2026 is ArtFairPH/Projects, located on the sixth floor. The project celebrates artistic excellence and experimental innovation, offering visitors a closer look at the practices of both modern masters and contemporary visionaries.

“It is a special project we work on for the fair. We invite artists to show solo exhibitions,” Ms. Araneta said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Periquet noted that the project space changes every year. This year’s interior design is inspired by a town plaza, featuring benches, open spaces to gather, and eskinitas, or small walkways, encouraging visitors to explore and linger.

BusinessWorld had the chance to explore the space, where the first works that catch the senses are Max Balatbat’s mixed-media installations, which evoke his childhood memories of faith, and Solomon Saprid’s bronze sculptures, reflecting Filipino social realism.

Among the other works are pieces by Imelda Cajipe Endaya, Ambie Abaсo, Ged Unson Merino, and the Pettyjohns’ ceramics, while TRNZ and the TLYR Collective bring digital and immersive experiences that feel surprisingly alive.

At the lower floor, a gallery is dedicated to the works of the country’s modern art pioneers, including Juan Luna’s Lady at the Race Track, Fernando Amorsolo’s Winnowing Rice, and Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo’s abstract pieces.

In line with its mission to develop audiences for contemporary art, the fair presents ArtFairPH/Talks in partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, offering daily sessions where artists discuss their work and share insights on collecting and the art market.

The fair also continues ArtFairPH/Residencies, which brings international curators to the Philippine art scene. For 2026, New York-based curator Anne-Laure Lemaitre leads the program, opening new avenues for local artists and fostering cross-cultural dialogue.

Tickets for Art Fair Philippines 2026 are available at www.artfairphilippines.com, with regular admission priced at P750 and discounted rates for students, seniors, PWDs, and Makati students. — Edg Adrian A. Eva