Art Fair Philippines 2023

First physical edition in three years
By Vivyan Yeo

Celebrating 10 years of promoting contemporary art, Art Fair Philippines returns with its first physical edition since 2020. Exhibitors will showcase their presentations at The Link in Makati City from 17 to 19 February 2023. Refreshed with a biophilic design, the multi-level exhibition venue provides an immersive space for visitors. The fair welcomes 52 exhibitors from the Philippines and 12 international galleries from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Australia and Spain.

Mikhaela Marie, ‘Bodegón - Tomatoes’, 2022, oil on canvas, 152 x 152cm. Image courtesy of YSOBEL Art Gallery.

Returning exhibitors from the Philippines will be championing art from the local community. YSOBEL Art Gallery, founded in 2011, will present a solo booth dedicated to Filipina artist Mikhaela Marie titled ‘The Comfort in Rituals’. The gallery prides itself in supporting and spotlighting emerging artists to global audiences. “It has been two years since Art Fair Philippines had a physical fair, and we are excited to be back and present,” expresses Patrice Tiongco, Owner of YSOBEL Art Gallery.

Dianne Rosario, ‘I came like water and like wind I go’, 2023 archival pigment print. Image courtesy of Tarzeer Pictures.

Eric Bico, ‘Nagbingo Pero Bigo’, 2023, archival pigment print. Image courtesy of Tarzeer Pictures.

Manila-based gallery and creative production group Tarzeer Pictures will present ‘Undercurrents’, an exhibition featuring works by 11 artists. They include Philippine artists Eric Bico, Dianne Rosario, Geric Cruz, Korean-Philippine photographer Christine Chung, Toronto-based Stine Danielle and more. They will showcase images from long-running projects that consider objects as collaborators. “Rather than ‘capturing’, the artists engage photography through a different set of gestures: sifting, searching, collecting, arranging, constructing, listening,” explains the Tarzeer Pictures team. “As for this year’s biophilic design, we love the space’s cosy feeling and use of natural materials; it works well with our exhibition.”

Peter Zimmermann, ‘Malibu’, 2020, epoxy on canvas, 180 x 130cm. Image courtesy of Nunu Fine Art.

Visitors can also expect international art from foreign galleries, such as Taipei-based Nunu Fine Art. The gallery will showcase epoxy works and oil paintings by renowned German artist Peter Zimmermann, who continuously explores images in the digital era. “The Filipino art scene is vibrant and exciting, and collectors have been supportive of international artists like Zimmermann,” shares Peng Hsiung, Associate Manager of Nunu Fine Art. “We look forward to presenting more wonderful works to art lovers in the Philippines.” Zimmermann will also be presenting a special exhibit for ArtFairPH/Projects titled ‘Crest’.

Skye Nicolas, ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Skies Are Blue’, 2022, looped video, H.264, colour, 3840 x 2160px, mp4, 15 seconds. Image courtesy of the artist.

With ArtFairPH/Digital, the fair gives a nod to the growth of the virtual realm, highlighting Philippine artists creating work in digital art. The section includes ‘Frequencies of Nostalgia’, a solo exhibition by New York-based artist Skye Nicolas. He was approached by curators Bjorn Calleja and Jopet Arias, and introduced to fair co-founder Trickie Lopa. “There was a natural synergy among all of us, and we have a collective enthusiasm for sharing this new section of the fair with a wider audience,” intimates Nicolas. “I encourage visitors to take their time, speak with the curators, and learn more about each piece.” Among the four exhibited works is ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Skies Are Blue’ (2022), which is in the permanent collection of the Francisco Carolinum Linz Museum in Austria.

Yeo Kaa, ‘I’m glad you’re still here’, 2023, acrylic on canvas, 15 x 15cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

Another highlight is ArtFairPH/Projects, co-presented by Bank of the Philippine Islands and curated by art consultant Norman Crisologo. The section features commissioned exhibits by seven artists based in the Philippines and abroad: Faye Abantao, Kiko Escora, Mark Andy Garcia, Raymond Guevarra, Pow Martinez, Yeo Kaa, and Peter Zimmerman. 

Yeo Kaa will present a collection of paintings and sculptures titled ‘This exhibition is about strength’. They feature her fictional character Krinini, who emerges stronger after experiencing psychological turmoil. Displaying eagerness and contempt, the character is a stand-in for the artist. “For the longest time, I could not understand why people found flowers beautiful; I usually felt annoyed or cringe,” shares Yeo Kaa, “Now that I am at a stage in my life where I am happy, I can see what they see in flowers.” She hopes that through her work, audiences will reflect on how their actions affect the surrounding world. 

Nicolei Gupit, installation view of ‘In the Age of Abundant Scarcity’. Image courtesy of the artist.

Other programmes include ArtFairPH/Photo Special Exhibits, ArtFairPH/Talks, ArtFairPH/Film as well as ArtFairPH/Workshops, organised in partnership with Tezos and its Asian arm, TZAPAC, and centring on digital art. The fair will also present ArtFairPH/Residencies, foregrounding Philippine artists who have completed residencies in the country. They include IC Jaucian with Manila Observatory and Nicolei Gupit with Linangan Art Residency. Focusing on the abundance and shortage of water supplies, Gupit participated in an eight-week art-making experience in rural Alfonso, Cavite. She will display new sculptural and mixed media works incorporating freshwater from local rivers and lakes. 

The 10th edition of Art Fair Philippines recognises the importance of seeing artworks in person while paying due attention to the burgeoning development of digital art. It continues to make art accessible – and exciting – to its local and international visitors alike.

Art & Market is proud to be an official media partner of Art Fair Philippines.

Art Fair Philippines 2023 runs from 17 to 19 February 2023 at The Link, Ayala Center, Makati. For more information, visit www.artfairphilippines.com.