Portugal shines at ARCOmadrid 2025
One of the major highlights of this year's fair is the presentation of the Armando Martins Museum of Contemporary Art (MACAM), scheduled to open later this month in Lisbon.
The 44th edition of ARCOmadrid, the largest contemporary art fair in the Iberian Peninsula, opens this Wednesday in Spain, bringing together over 180 galleries from around the world, including 15 from Portugal.
Running until Sunday, the fair is set to attract thousands of art enthusiasts and collectors.
One of the major highlights of this year’s event is the presentation of the Armando Martins Museum of Contemporary Art (MACAM), scheduled to open on March 22 in Lisbon.
As part of its debut, MACAM will introduce a new prize, selecting and acquiring a piece of art for its permanent collection. The winning artwork will be announced on the opening day of the fair.
Portugal in the spotlight
This year, 14 Portuguese galleries will participate in ARCOmadrid’s general program: 3+1 Arte Contemporânea, Balcony, Bruno Múrias, Cristina Guerra Contemporary Art, Foco, Francisco Fino, Jahn und Jahn, Madragoa, Miguel Nabinho, Monitor, Pedro Cera, and Vera Cortês (all based in Lisbon), along with Kubikgallery and Lehmann (from Porto).
Additionally, Lisbon’s NO-NO gallery will feature in the “Opening” section for emerging galleries for the second consecutive year.
As part of the fair's agenda, a conference titled "Cultural Bridges: Dialogues between Museums of Portugal and Spain" will take place on Wednesday afternoon.
The panel will feature Benjamin Weil (Director of the Gulbenkian Modern Art Center in Lisbon), Nuria Enguita (Director of the Belém Cultural Center in Lisbon), and Sandra Guimarães (Director of the Helga de Alvear Museum in Spain).
Organized by the Portuguese Embassy in Madrid, the discussion will be moderated by Spanish journalist Ianko López.
Further strengthening ties between the Portuguese and Spanish art scenes, the Portuguese Embassy in Spain has reissued the “Map of Portuguese Artists in Spanish Galleries,” showcasing 43 artists represented by 34 galleries across 11 cities.
Focus on Latin America and the Amazon
ARCOmadrid 2025 will also feature two specially curated sections: “Wametisé: Ideas for an Amazofuturism” and “Profiles / Latin American Art.”
The “Wametisé” section will explore hybrid artistic expressions that merge human, vegetal, physical, and metaphysical elements.
It will showcase 24 artists, including Brazilian talents such as Frederico Filippi, Uyra Sodoma, and Claudia Andujar, among others.
Meanwhile, the “Profiles / Latin American Art” section aims to reinforce ARCOmadrid's longstanding connection with Latin American art.
Ten galleries will participate, including three from Brazil: A Gentil Caricoca, Cerrado Galeria, and Martins&Montero.
Madrid's Art Week in full swing
ARCOmadrid takes place during Madrid Art Week, coinciding with several other contemporary art events in the Spanish capital.
One such event is JustMAD, an art fair focused on emerging artists. Running from Thursday to Sunday, JustMAD will feature 40 galleries from 13 countries, including two from Portugal: Castra Leuca (Castelo Branco) and Gema Gallery (Cascais).