ManilART announces its milestone 15th year with the theme “A New Contemporary.” This marks the culmination of a series of themes that ManilART explored over the most recent years, emphasizing the legacy and tradition of Philippine art, while embracing new perspectives and the incorporation of new media.
Leading up to this milestone and beyond
In 2020, the art fair faced the unprecedented challenges of the year head-on with the theme "2020 Vision for a Future Reimagined", ready to embrace the country's evolving artistic landscape. In 2021, "Continuing Legacies" highlighted the art fair's journey as a platform for the arts, celebrating tried and tested methods and paying homage to the artists behind its success. And in 2022, "Forging Futures" captured the spirit of progress as the fair began to navigate a post-pandemic world, ushering in a new era of artistic exploration.
This year signals "A New Contemporary" as ManilART continues its commitment to excellence, built upon each iteration of its evolving journey–bridging traditional and contemporary, providing a space for an ever-expanding spectrum of old and new media expression in the visual arts.
From functional to phygital: offerings at ManilART’23
At ManilART'23, there is surely something for everyone. The art fair will showcase a diverse range of exhibits, featuring both traditional and interdisciplinary expressions. Attendees can explore captivating canvas-based and sculptural works, as well as delve into the world of functional and technology-based art. The fair also embraces various media, including automotive art and design, digital art, sound art, and emerging forms such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and phygital media.
ManilART also returns as a festival and fellowship for all art lovers, with a grand gala opening, VIP vernissage, artist night, and various planned social and artistic engagements for collectors, artists, and art aficionados. The milestone 15th year also celebrates the fair's uninterrupted annual staging and its ability to come out more responsive to the times.
A new art world of interconnectivity
Having gone through the crucible of a global challenge, ManilART’23 retains the gains of being thrust onto the online sphere and continues to develop its online viewing platform and portals. These digital spaces allow for simultaneous, multi-location and satellite exhibitions, offering a larger showcase that brings art to wider audiences, allowing them to engage with art from the comfort of their own spaces.
ManilART'23 will continue to partner with satellite exhibitions around the country, and expand its onsite offering through collaborations. These include projects with Museo Orlina, The Estate, Silangan Art Fair, Barasoain Church, and the Manila Clock Tower.
As the flagship project for Museums and Galleries Month of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, ManilART'23 continues to abide by its mandate to strengthen the creative economy and promote Philippine visual artistry by supporting art galleries, museums, and associated institutions.
This year’s participating exhibitors are OMV Art Gallery, Galleria Nicolas, M Gallery MNL, Ysobel Art Gallery, AT Gallery, Renaissance Art Gallery, Artologist, Art for Space, Gallery du Soleil, Portrait Artists’ Society of the Philippines, Inc., Galerie Raphael, Gallery Nine, Annual Sculpture Review, Espacio Manila, Artes Orientes, Historia Arts, 371 Art Space, Village Art Gallery, Drybrush, Art Circle, Rayos Del Sol Gallery, Galerie Banez, NAMI, Galerie Artes, G9Online, Daloy Likha, Artalyer, and VCM.
ManilART’23 will be held from from Oct. 11 to 15, 2023 at the SMX Aura Convention Center, Taguig City.