The Barrio is Open: Explore the Works of Visionary Artists at Art Fair PH 2026
Moving beyond the stark, silent corridors of the typical art world, the Philippines’ premier art event is inviting you to a town plaza.
For its 13th edition, Art Fair Philippines (AFP) 2026 has officially opened its doors at its new home in Circuit Makati. Trading the industrial grit of its previous home for the sleek Circuit Corporate Center One, the fair has transformed six floors of office space into a "vertical barrio," proving once again that art can breathe life into any urban corner.
A New Map for Art: The Town Plaza Concept
The heart of the 2026 edition lies on the 6th floor, where the ArtFairPH/Projects section has been reimagined by design visionaries Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco.
Stepping off the elevator, visitors aren't met with rigid, antiseptic booths, but with an "imagined barrio." The layout uses eskinitas (narrow alleys) and communal alcoves to recreate the social warmth and organic flow of a Filipino town square. It’s an intentional move to make art feel more like a community conversation and less like a formal transaction.
Meet the Visionaries of the Barrio
This year's curated roster features artists and collectives who are pushing the boundaries of medium and message. Within the "plaza," keep a look out for these standout features:
Imelda Cajipe-Endaya: Serving as the fair’s anchor, she bridges history and hope through her evocative explorations of identity, migration, and the Filipina experience.
Max Balatbat: Bringing the sacred to the street, his striking architectural installation "KAPILYA" breathes a sense of gritty, urban spirituality into the corporate setting.
Ambie Abaño: Offering a moment of profound introspection, her intricate and soul-stirring printmaking invites viewers to pause and reflect amidst the fair's energy.
Ged Unson Merino: A master of tactile storytelling, he weaves "material memories" into ethereal textile landscapes that challenge our perceptions of home.
Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Ged Unson Merino, Ambie Abaño, and Max Balatbat | Photo courtesy: ArtFairPH
From Canvas to Code
The "barrio" also embraces the future through ArtFairPH/Digital. Keep an eye out for TRNZ, who premieres his animated short film “The Keeper,” and the TLYR Collective, whose "digital alchemy" uses augmented reality to hide secret layers of art throughout the venue’s hallways.
The Art Walk: 10 Days of Art
The celebration isn’t contained within the building. Under the "10 Days of Art" banner (running until February 8), the spirit of the fair spills into the streets of Makati:
Ronald Ventura’s fantastical carousel at Ayala Malls Circuit.
Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan’s public installations at Ayala Tower One.
Mich Dulce’s whimsical sculptural hats at Greenbelt 5.
Visitor Information
Where: Circuit Corporate Center One, Circuit Makati (Levels 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11)
When: February 6 to 8, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tickets: ₱750 Regular | ₱500 Students/Seniors/PWD
Transport: Hop on the dedicated P2P shuttles from One Ayala for a direct link to the fair.