Art Fair PH 2024 Wraps Up Successful 10-day Event — Here's What Happened

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Art Fair Philippines made its return filled with sublime, enchanting, and enigmatic masterpieces that are truly an indescribable beauty.

Held at The Link Ayala Center in Makati, the 10-day fair offered a journey through creativity and expression spread over three floors, where every piece and gallery spoke volumes.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by the reception area where they claimed their passes. Adjacent to this hub of activity is Lakat Sustainables, a haven of footwear made of tropical fabrics and pineapple leaf fibers crafted by local artisans. Venturing further we discovered Tahanan Pottery Shop & Studio, a sanctuary for ceramic enthusiasts that offers a plethora of ceramic and clay products.

The Beat Asia got a chance to chat with Renz Baluyot, a visual artist who took his residency at the Orange Project in Bacolod. Adorned with meticulously positioned knives on a longboard, Renz’s artwork titled “Pureza” draws inspiration from the resilience of sugarcane farmers in Negros.

“I stayed in Negros Occidental for three weeks, particularly on Negros Island, and their main economy is based on sugar production. The role of sugarcane farmers is a big thing on the whole island of Negros. I wanted to represent them through this work; the hard work they do as local or outsourced farmers is definitely backbreaking labor,” Renz said in Filipino.

Another eye-catching creation came from Petr Hajdyla featuring his painting titled “Peeing in the Ocean.” In this artwork, he represented how the cold ocean blends into a person’s whole being through the act of urination, which symbolizes the merging of substances into one. In a brief conversation with Petr, he shared his insights about being part of Art Fair Philippines 2024.

“For me, as an artist, I think I can speak for everyone here. It’s always good to be part of these art fairs and group shows because, basically, we understand each other; we are in the same like where we struggle in the same way. And it’s good to see and feel the support and it’s great! I think it’s a win-win situation — for people, collectors, for us painters and artists.”

Other shops or art pieces that visitors explored on the fourth level were the ever-popular quirky shirts and totes from Artwork, a selection of books and memorabilia by Archivo 1984, “Emerging Islands” by Jett Ilagan, and “Manila Observatory” by Mark Salvatus.

There were also complimentary copies of Tatler Magazine available, featuring local personalities like Anne Curtis, Nadine Lustre, Atasha Muhlach, and Dolly de Leon, among others.

The galleries of Art Launch Manila, Pinto Art Museum and Arboretum, Silverlens Galleries, and Fête Nocturne Sais by Art Underground Manila were located on the fifth and sixth levels. Here, we spotted masterpieces by Wipo, Pat Frades, lindslee, Pepe Mendoza, and Anton Del Castillo, to name a few. There were also maps for every floor that helped visitors easily locate their favorite artists' galleries.

Moreover, Filipino former basketball player JC Intal, who is now pursuing his career as an artist, exhibited his work at the fair. According to JC, he has been painting for almost four years and his first artwork for 2024 is titled “Keep on Dancing,” which reflects his passion to continue expressing himself through art.

“[The artwork is made in] oil on canvas and I just want to play with it. So, that’s where I get the inspiration [through] my expression and very much the reflection of what I do, based on expressions,” he said.

For the past 11 years, Art Fair Philippines has been at the helm of the country’s visual arts scene, serving as a platform for the sale of modern and contemporary art as well as the exhibition of works by artists from across Southeast Asia.

Trickie Lopa, co-founder of Art Fair Philippines, expressed her happiness in keeping the local arts scene and the art ecosystem vibrant and exciting.

“I think we’ve really had a hand in deepening and widening the audience of the visual arts, which is really the mission of the fair, and because of that, we have called to the other parts of the art ecosystem — the galleries, the museums, [and] art projects.”

Art Fair Philippines 2024 took place from Feb. 9-18, captivating audiences across various venues in the country, spanning Makati, Taguig, Quezon City, Pasay, and Cebu City. It wrapped up its final two days at The Link, Ayala Center in Makati.