Art Fair 2025 in a new venue invites you to stop and stare

Art Fair Philippines (AFP) took on the challenge of setting up in a new venue this year, and it turned out to be a good decision.

At no less than the Ayala Triangle Gardens, AFP is able to provide both literal and figurative breathing room to guests, allowing themto gather, converse, and take in the best of the country’s contemporary art.

Organizers also offer rides from their old home, The Link Carpark. The pickup site would be the side facing Landmark, and the drop-off site would be the Tower One driveway on Ayala Avenue.

The Tower One entrance leads guests to the tents, with a bag deposit area right next to it.

Immediately upon entering are maps of the towers and infographics for the schedules of the talks, tours, and other events. The fair also gives out physical maps for attendees. They can also treat themselves to complimentary magazines like Vogue, Vogue Man, Art+, and Philippine Tatler from the complimentary shelf.

The large space is maximized, with narrow hallways filled with art. Designers Nazareno/Lichauco also designed the tents with breathing room in mind. Guests can view the gallery’s pieces with an extra space to stand and admire them from afar. There is also a wide space for benches to lounge on and take in the art or speak to fellow enthusiasts.

The second entrance, on Makati Avenue, leads to Ayala Triangle Tower Two where AFP’s signature sections like Projects, Photography, Film, Talks are located.

A wide section in Tower Two is dedicated to Projects, which is home to Art Fair’s featured artists of the year. This year, it’s Manuel Ocampo, Manny Garibay, Goldie Poblador, and Jezzel Wee whose works gave gave the section a feel of a church, a mysterious underwater section, playful ceramics, a contemporary art gallery, and a viewing stage—all at the same time. And if that does not make sense, then paying a visit to the fair is definitely needed.

Additionally, security and AFP team members are present throughout the venue, and are available to answer questions regarding gallery locations, restrooms or portalets, and the like.

Surprises in every gallery

Despite all the helpful maps and infographics, the best part about AFP is being able to take things at your own pace, allowing every delightful little thing to surprise.

There are veterans like Leon Gallery, Silverlens, and Lopez Museum and Library, but there are also quite a number of rising galleries and artists worth watching for — most of whom are located in the tents of Tower One.

Tarzeer Pictures’ “Contact Subcutanea” tackles themes like physical intimacies, sexuality, grief, childhood memories, and more, with the photographer’s personal views on these.

Modeka Art’s “[your name here]” showcases pieces that are universal yet personal, and are welcome to be interpreted by guests. The exhibit has a variety of works from realistic and abstract paintings, mixed media pieces, sculpture-like pieces on the walls, and mirrors with quotes on them.

The Monarch, a gallery, wine and beer bar, and community space in Muntinlupa City, provides wine tasting of their exclusive wines as guests look around their exhibited paintings.

TLYR Collective has pieces displayed along a hall. The creative group showcased pieces across all media, ranging from intriguing sculptures to digital art displayed on large TVs.

JM Saycon’s “Aurora,” is placed in one of the corners of the tents and features large-scale photos of marble statues wrapped in aluminum foil. The experience of looking through the exhibit features

Over at the Triangulum Gallery, guests can experience a unique portrait style. Artist E.S.L. Chen lets guests put a scanner right up close to their faces, prints these in black and white, then draws over them with colored markers and pastels.

Unique Salonga at Art Fair Philippines 2025 Photo: Nika Roque/GMA Integrated News

Unique Salonga, solo musician and former vocalist of IV Of Spades, is exhibiting at the Art Fair for the first time this year under the Triangulum Gallery, presenting an untitled black-and-white digital photography piece.

Unique presented a digital self-portrait from 2015, opened it on a screen, then took more photos of it to give it a new texture. In January, he worked on it again, made it black-and-white, and changed the angles.

“Winasak ko lang siya. Gusto ko ‘yung feeling na parang nakakulong siya sa screen,” Unique told GMA News Online at the Art Fair media preview. “Nagkakaroon ng oscillation dun sa process, parang may layer na nangyayari.”

“Parang sakto rin ‘yung concept naming dito sa Triangulum. ’Yung consciousness mo nasa blob. Parang downloaded na consciousness ‘yung dating niya sa ‘kin,” he added.

The artist also said that the photo is a reaction and an interpretation of today’s realities of how identities are based on social media.

“Representation lang siya ng reality ko siguro, at sa kung ano ‘yung nakikita ko sa socmed,” Unique said, and added that it does not mean going against social media.

Unique added that he feels happy and inspired to exhibit at the Art Fair because he is surrounded by artists.

The gallery’s exhibit, “F[]T[]R[] IMP[]SS[]BL[],” explores an individual’s consciousness and personal beliefs.

Another must-see at Tower 1 is artist Carlo Tanseco’s solo exhibit.

called “Sari-Sari Sabi-Sabi,” it features enlarged sculptures of iconic Filipino snacks, with witty yet meaningful statements on them. A pack of Piattos reads, “Pilipinas, choose to be the change and make a difference,” whereas a giant Choc-Nut reads, “Change Now.”

The exhibit is completed with Pinoy snacks and candies that guests can freely get from.

Time outside

A great new addition to AFP 2025 is the amount of time guests can spend outside.

While complimentary bamboo pedicabs can take guests from Tower One to Tower Two, one can choose to take a stroll outside, where a projection at the garden’s amphitheater can be enjoyed. 

Called “Rewilding,” the video projection feature the works of Bjorn Calleja, Ivan Despi, Pauline Despi, Jo Gregorio, Jeff Hazel, Ombrete Peter, Daniel Palanas, and Cherylee Sngis and is curated by Jun Sabayton.

The video projection called Rewilding, curated by Jun Sabayton. Photo: Nika Roque/GMA Integrated News

There is also SpY, an anonymous urban artist from Spain, who hung strips of barrier tape on to an acacia tree in the Ayala Triangle Gardens. 

Reaching the ground, the tapes highlight the breeze and scale of the tree, while its make the public reflect on their relationship with and the state of the environment. According to AFP, the barrier tapes from SpY’s piece will be recycled after the three-day event.

right next to the amphitheater is the veranda, where guests can choose from a variety of food and drinks.

The in-betweens

Aside from the impressive art all over the venue, there are also various alcohol and food booths, like Don Papa Rum and Toby’s Estate.

AFP also flexes merch done by Artwork like tote bags. Their booth also includes their regular retail items.

Uniqlo also presents their line of shirts featuring prints from iconic artists like Henri Matisse. The brand also has a section where guests can draw their own t-shirts, which they can bring over to the Uniqlo Flagship Store at the nearby Glorietta to get printed. — LA, GMA Integrated News

Art Fair Philippines runs from February 21 to 23 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens from 10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.