Manila's Contemporary Art Scene: An Emerging Asian Hub
The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is home to 12 million people spread across 17 cities and boasts a vibrant contemporary art scene in Makati. After a 50-year hiatus, the Philippines made its return to the Venice Biennale in 2015, featuring artists such as David Medalla. Current trends lean towards neo-pop painting, with emerging artists influenced by 1970s conceptual art. At the 2017 Biennale, the country was represented by Manuel Ocampo and Lani Maestro, under the curation of Maria Joselina Cruz. Prominent artists include Ronald Ventura, Patricia Perez Eustaquio, Ernest Concepcion, Martha Atienza, and Dex Fernandez. Local collectors are drawn to homegrown talent, showcased at Art Fair Philippines, with key galleries like Silverlens and Finale, and the MCAD, led by Cruz, presenting thematic exhibitions.
Key facts
- Manila is a metropolis of 12 million people across 17 cities.
- The Philippines opened its national pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2015 after 50 years.
- David Medalla is a key Filipino conceptual artist born in Manila in 1938.
- Ronald Ventura's painting Grayground sold for $1 million at Sotheby's Hong Kong.
- Martha Atienza won the Baloise Art Prize at Art Basel 2017.
- Art Fair Philippines was founded in 2013 and is held in Makati.
- MCAD is the only international-level museum in Manila, directed by Maria Joselina Cruz.
- Manila collectors primarily buy Filipino artists, but some now collect international art.
Entities
Artists
- David Medalla
- Ray Albano
- Judy Freya Sibayan
- Manuel Ocampo
- Lani Maestro
- Maria Joselina Cruz
- José Rizal
- Ernest Concepcion
- Ronald Ventura
- Patricia Perez Eustaquio
- Martha Atienza
- Dex Fernandez
- Marcel Crespo
- Shirin Neshat
- Michael Lin
- Apichatpong Weerasethakul
- Eugenio Tibaldi
- Ferdinand Magellan
- Fernando Marcos
- Imelda Marcos
- Rodrigo Duterte
- Ludovico Pratesi
Institutions
- Sotheby's Hong Kong
- Palais de Tokyo
- Museo del Barrio
- Art Basel
- Art Fair Philippines
- Ayala Center
- Silverlens
- Finale
- Drawing Room
- Art Informal
- Green Papaya Art Project
- MCAD – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea e Design
- De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
- Biennale di Venezia
- Art Basel Hong Kong
- miart
- Artissima
- Artribune
Locations
- Manila
- Philippines
- Makati
- Quezon
- Venice
- Italy
- London
- New York
- Hong Kong
- Melbourne
- Intramuros
- Fort Santiago
- Church of San Agustin
- Rizal Park
- Baywalk
- Pasig River
- Ayala Center
- Malaki