When we think of Makati, we usually drift to the idea of a busy business district, with everyone in a rush. But once in a while, when the dust has settled after a hectic week or a wild night out, you start to realize Makati is a city where you can relish the slow and easy lifestyle too. TBH, the city is pretty conducive to Namjooning, a.k.a. admiring the beauty and art in life thanks to its countless cafés and, surprisingly, art galleries too. Next time you're in Makati and looking for something to do, hit up these 10 art galleries for your dose of art appreciation.
Here are 10 must-visit art galleries in Makati:
Silverlens Gallery
2263 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati
Contact: 0917-587-4011
Email: inquiry@silverlensgalleries.com
https://www.silverlensgalleries.com/
Rates: Entrance is free.
Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays to Saturdays
Silverlens is an international gallery with locations in both Manila and New York. It was established in 2004 by Isa Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo with the goal of promoting the work of emerging and established Filipino artists. The current space is a two-level building with offices, a spacious main gallery, a number of exhibition spaces, viewing rooms, a storage area, and even a pantry.
Finale Art File
Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati
Contact: 02-881-32310
Email: finaleartfileinc@gmail.com
https://www.finaleartfile.com/
Rates: Entrance is free.
Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays
Established in the early ‘80s, Finale Art File is considered a premier gallery institution in the Philippines, having showcased hundreds of exhibits by some of the most talented names in contemporary visual arts. The 450 square-meter space is divided into three multi-functional galleries: Tall Gallery, Upstairs Gallery, and Video Room. Finale Art File is home to a combination of modern masters who made their names decades ago, as well as many up-and-coming artists. ​
Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery
2241 La Fuerza 1, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati
Contact: 0917-802-2984
Email: info@vinylonvinylgallery.com
https://www.vinylonvinylgallery.com/
Rates: Entrance is free.
Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays to Saturdays
Also known as VoV, the Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery merges commercial art like designer toys and collectibles with bold art exhibits of artists influenced by contemporary art, pop surrealism, underground, and street art. The gallery is interested in creative experimentation, a.k.a. letting its artists create art through unconventional techniques such as damaging and reusing canvas, social media as performance art, manipulated video and photography, soft sculpture installations, massive origami forms and other methodologies that defy classification or have yet to be labeled. The gallery aims to exhibit peripheral art forms often rejected by the mainstream.
Art Cube Makati
OPVI Centre, 2295 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati
Contact: 02-881-67758
Email: info@artcubephilippines.com
https://www.artcubephilippines.com/
Rates: Entrance is free.
Open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays to Saturdays
If Art Cube seems familiar, it might be because Art Cube has consistently participated in the annual events of Art Fair Philippines and Art Central in Hong Kong. The collective provides a platform for talented young artists to showcase their works before an extensive roster of art collectors. While also helping promote the careers of seasoned artists by giving art aficionados broad access to their works in international art exhibitions. The gallery has so far mounted more than a hundred art exhibitions involving award-winning and seasoned artists, as well as very promising young painters and sculptors in the Philippine contemporary art scene.
Artinformal Makati
The Alley at Karrivin, 2316 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati
Contact: 02-883-91772
Email: info@artinformal.com
https://www.artinformal.com/
Rates: Entrance is free.
Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays to Saturdays
Since it was established in 2004, Artinformal has brought art and its practice closer to the community. Its Makati City space opened in 2018 and has three exhibition spaces featuring solo exhibitions by selected artists. It houses and features a broad range of art forms, from sculpture, painting, pottery, installation, multimedia, and performances.
Aphro
The Alley at Karrivin, 2316 Chino Roces Avenue Extension Makati
Contact: 0919-990-8679
Email: aphroliving@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/aphroliving/
Rates: Entrance is free.
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays to Saturdays
Aphro is owned by Tina Fernandez, the same person who established Artinformal. Fernandez established Aphro as an extension of her own gallery. Here you’ll find all kinds of art—from huge paintings to functional pieces like chairs, bags, and shoes. Of all the places on this list, Aphro is the most casual. It is very simply a place where art can be fun and appreciated. Fun fact: the shop has a slide where you can slide from the upper level all the way down while viewing art pieces along the way. Aphro is one of those places that merit a visit more than once. It would be hard to have the same experience here more than once as art pieces are changed as frequently as thrice a week.
1335 Mabini
CB1 Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati
Contact: 0917-560-0880
Email: inquire@the1335mabini.ph
https://www.1335mabiniph.com/
Rates: Entrance is free.
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays
1335 Mabini is a space for contemporary art that identifies with Filipino consciousness and sensibilities. The gallery commits to showcasing the talents of artists who express their individuality by exploring themes and narratives that respond to the contexts and conditions of the present and possibly even the future.
Modeka Creative Space (Modeka Art)
Warehouse 20A La Fuerza 1, 2241 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati
Contact: 0916-697-6671
Email: info@modeka.space
https://modeka.space/
Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays to Saturdays
Modeka Art is an independent, artist-led contemporary art gallery, creative space, and art consultancy service based in Manila. It is dedicated to providing a new and innovative platform for the most exciting local and international artists to showcase their work in an engaging and inclusive manner that revolutionizes how art is communicated and interacted with. Modeka Art offers a diverse and eclectic mix of painting, sculpture, mixed media, limited edition prints, and fine art photography. Outside the gallery walls, Modeka also has an online art gallery platform, which expands the physical art gallery experience through multimedia content and virtual experiences.
The Drawing Room
G/F, Building C, Karrivin Plaza 2316 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati
Contact: 02-880-14397
Email: info@drawingroomgallery.com
https://www.drawingroomgallery.com/
Rates: Entrance is free.
Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays to Saturdays.
The Drawing Room, founded by Cesar Villalon Jr., started as a venue for accommodating works solely on paper. The initial collection included the works of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera and figurative expressionist Elmer Borlongan. The gallery has since expanded into other mediums to express the contemporary landscape of Philippine art better.
León Gallery
G/F Eurovilla I, V.A. Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati
Contact: 02-885-62781
Email: info@leon-gallery.com
https://leon-gallery.com/
Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays
As one of the most established and renowned art collections and galleries in the country, Leon Gallery is a definite must-visit when doing an art hop in Makati. The gallery showcases works of master artists such as Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fabian de la Rosa. However, it is also the home to modernist artworks of notable artists such as Fernando Zobel, Romeo Tabuena, and Diosdado Lorenzo, among others. Aside from that, pieces of historical significance, such as pre-Hispanic pottery, jewelry, and furniture, along with special heirloom pieces, highlighting a mix of both art and history.
* This story originally appeared on Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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