ArtRio Opens 16th Edition with 76 Galleries as Brazil's Art Market Grows Amid Election Tension
ArtRio's 16th edition commenced on 16 September in Rio de Janeiro, showcasing 76 galleries, primarily from Brazil, and will run until 20 September at Marina da Glória. As Brazil's presidential election nears in early October, political uncertainty prevails, with incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva competing against Flávio Bolsonaro. The Supreme Court of Brazil is currently involved in a corruption investigation. While collectors are spending cautiously, ArtRio's artistic director, Maria Luz Bridger, reported sales during a pre-preview dinner. The event features both established galleries and a section dedicated to smaller artworks. Notably, Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani's presence highlighted ArtRio's significance. Brazilian art experienced a 21% increase in sales year-on-year in 2025, with political themes evident in the displayed pieces.
Key facts
- ArtRio's 16th edition opened on 16 September and runs until 20 September at Marina da Glória, Rio de Janeiro.
- The fair features 76 participating galleries, largely Brazilian.
- Brazil's presidential election in early October pits Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against Flávio Bolsonaro, son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro.
- Brazilian dealers reported a 21% year-on-year sales increase in 2025, according to the UBS and Art Basel Global Art Market Report.
- 23% of Brazilian collectors began collecting within the previous five years, the highest share globally, per a 2025 Art Basel/UBS survey.
- Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums, attended the fair, marking the first time ArtRio received such an important Middle Eastern collector.
- Tomás Redrado Art, a Miami-based gallery, is participating for the first time, showing works by Argentine artist Guadalupe Reyna.
- Osvaldo Carvalho's Público Alvo (2020) at Janaína Torres Galeria depicts police brutality in Rio's neglected neighbourhoods.
Entities
Artists
- Anna Bella Geiger
- Osvaldo Carvalho
- Guadalupe Reyna
Institutions
- ArtRio
- Mendes Wood DM
- Nara Roesler
- Galleria Continua
- Tomás Redrado Art
- Janaína Torres Galeria
- Pinakotheke
- A Gentil Carioca
- Anita Schwartz Galeria de Arte
- Qatar Museums
- UBS
- Art Basel
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
- São Paulo
- Brasília
- Vitória
- Belo Horizonte
- Marina da Glória
- Botafogo
- Gávea
- Miami
- United States
- Qatar
- Argentina