The third edition of Art Fair Philippines opens later this week, with 33galleries showing both regional and international works. The Artling caught upwith one of Art Fair Philippines’ founders, Trickie Lopa, to see what we canexpect from this year’s fair.
How has the fairdeveloped since it was founded in 2013 and what are the major changes thatyou’ve noticed throughout the years?
We havealways aimed for the fair to grow, but gradually. We started with 24galleries in 2013, now we have 33. In 2013 we had 6,000 visitors, 2014 wehad 10,000. This seems to indicate that we’ve created more awareness forcontemporary art among the local audience.
Why the unique choice of venue for the fair and how do you think that affects the way the artworks are perceived?
We wanted an accessible venue, one located in the commercial and business center, Makati City. The Link is a working car park, but it seemed suitable for exhibiting art – provided we worked on a few details. We seem to have succeeded – the space gives off a raw, urban vibe that seems in sync with Manila’s contemporary art scene.
How were the Special Exhibitions selected to be shown at the fair and what can we look forward to seeing this year?
We want to focus on artists who’ve achieved both critical and commercial recognition, within the Philippines and outside. This year, we consulted with Dr. Patrick D. Flores, who is also putting together the Philippine pavilion to the Venice Biennale. Roberto Feleo is debuting work that will eventually go to a museum in Ilocos Norte, in Northern Philippines. All of our other special exhibitors have made works especially for the art fair.
Currently, the majority of collectors of Filipino art are from the Philippines themselves. Do you see there being a growing international interest in Filipino art?
I think it’s only natural that you look to your own before looking outward. So yes, majority of collectors for Philippine art will most likely be mostly Filipinos. But good art will always stand out wherever you bring it, so good Filipino works will definitely attract an audience for outside.
Exhibitors at Art Fair Philippines 2015
1335 Mabini
Altro Mondo Arte Contemporanea
Archivo 1984 Gallery
ARNDT
Art Verite
Art Cube
Artesan Art Gallery + Studio
Art Informal
Avellana Art Gallery
Blanc Gallery
CANVAS
Crucible Gallery
Edouard Malingue Gallery
Equator Art Projects
Finale Art File
Galerie Michael Janssen
Galleria Duemila
J Studio
MO_Space
NOVA
Nunu Fine Art
Pablo Gallery
Paseo Art Gallery
ROH Projects
Salcedo Private View
Secret Fresh
Silverlens
Taksu KL
The Boston Gallery
The Drawing Room
Tin-Aw
Vinyl on Vinyl
West Gallery Inc
Any views or opinions in the post are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the company or contributors.
