Bogotà's Artbo fair remains boutique and local—is that enough?
Exhibitor numbers for the fair's 2022 edition are still down from pre-pandemic levels, and its collectors and galleries are largely from Colombia
The 22nd edition of Artbo, an art fair based in Bogotá, Colombia, concluded on September 27 after a month of showcasing Latin American galleries and artists. The fair featured 50 galleries, an increase from 33 three years prior and up from 46 in 2025, although it was still lower than pre-pandemic figures of around 70 exhibitors.
Around two-thirds of the exhibitors were Colombian, with the remaining galleries hailing from neighboring countries like Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador. Artbo director Jaime A. Martínez emphasized the fair's focus on Latin American art, particularly from South and Central America, stating that his goal was to create a platform for regional artists rather than an international fair.
The fair's opening preview on September 23 drew a lively crowd of 3,500 visitors, with attendance slightly slower on Thursday. Despite attracting visitors from around the world, Martínez noted that Artbo remains a staple in Colombia's art scene, serving as a mainstay for those who may not frequent museums regularly. Beatríz López, artistic director and co-founder of the Instituto de Visión, highlighted the fair's role in bringing attention and energy to Colombian artists.
López showcased works by local artists such as Aimema Úai and Gloria Sebastián Fierro in the Galerías Doce section, which features emerging galleries with limited exhibition space.
Artbo has been successful in promoting Colombian artists, with many of the showcased works selling for thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. For instance, Bogotá's private Gun Club acquired a figurative painting by Juan Carlos Delgado for an undisclosed price. The fair also includes a curated section called Artecámera, featuring young Colombian artists under 40 who are not represented by galleries, with themes ranging from geometric abstraction to ecological concerns.
Despite the fair's emphasis on Latin American art, a few galleries included more politically oriented work, reflecting the region's willingness to engage with its complex history.
Written by urgent.news from The Art Newspaper's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
