Report: Art Fair Philippines 2015

In early February, Art Fair Philippines took over The Link, a car park in the Ayala Center of Makati, Manila. This was the third edition of the annual contemporary art fair, which proved to be an excellent showcase of the exploding contemporary art scene of the Philippines. In 2014 a record 10,000 people attended, and this year the attendance reached an impressive 16,000 visitors, as interest in the local art market continues to grow. There were 33 exhibiting galleries, including eight from outside of the Philippines. A special curated section, featuring new work from ten artists, was mounted with consultation by Dr. Patrick Flores, who is the curator of the UP Vargas Museum in Manila. Flores has also been selected as curator of the Philippines Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. For the second year in a row, Christie’s Art Forum sponsored art talks at the fair, aimed at collectors and educating the local art market. The layout of the fair, which covered 4,423 square meters and spanned the sixth and seventh floors of the urban carpark, was planned by the internationally renowned Filipino furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue and his design team and was the largest edition to date.

• Philippines