Zona Maco 2025, held from February 5 to 9 at Mexico City's Centro Citibanamex, marked its 21st edition with an impressive showcase of contemporary art, design, photography, and antiques. With over 200 galleries from 29 countries, including 39 first-time participants, the fair reaffirmed its position as Latin America's premier art event.
Standout Exhibits and Artists
- Pace Gallery made waves with a booth designed in a shade reminiscent of Barragán pink, featuring artist-filmmaker Julian Schnabel’s Frida Kahlo plate paintings. This exhibit celebrated Mexico City's modernist heritage while drawing a strong crowd of collectors and critics alike.
- Palo Gallery from New York showcased an evocative solo exhibition by Liberian artist Lewinale Havette. Her work explored themes of migration, spirituality, and Black femininity, offering a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative.
- Galería RGR hosted an exclusive guided tour of "Robar lo que me pertenece" with Gabriela Rangel and Magali Lara, giving attendees an in-depth look at their thematic explorations and creative processes.
- OMR Gallery debuted a solo show by Yann Gerstberger, a visually striking exhibition that cemented the artist’s reputation as a leading voice in contemporary art.
- Marc Straus Gallery from New York saw immediate success, selling a major work by Spanish artist Antonio Santín for $170,000 within the opening hours of the fair.
Exclusive Brand Events
Beyond the gallery booths, Zona Maco 2025 also served as a hub for brand activations and high-profile networking events:
- CLAVO emerged as a key player in supporting Mexico's emerging contemporary art scene, bringing together traditional galleries, independent spaces, publishers, collectors, and global brands. This initiative fostered a dynamic environment for artistic exchange and commercial opportunities.
- Feria Material celebrated its 11th edition with a packed two-floor setup at Expo Reforma, featuring 70 young galleries from Mexico and abroad. The fair’s exciting program of talks, performances, and interactive experiences made it a standout event of the week.
- Luxury brand partnerships played a major role this year, with exclusive afterparties and collector dinners hosted by brands such as Louis Vuitton and Casa Dragones. These events provided an intimate setting for networking between collectors, artists, and industry leaders.
Zona Maco 2025 witnessed several significant art sales, underscoring its prominence in the international art market. Here are some of the most notable transactions:
Top Reported Sales:
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Stanley Whitney's Painting: Galerie Nordenhake sold a painting by Stanley Whitney for $650,000, marking one of the highest transactions of the fair.
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Julian Schnabel's 2023 Painting: Pace Gallery reported the sale of a 2023 work by Julian Schnabel for $450,000.
Additional Notable Sales:
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Kehinde Wiley's "Congo Study II" (2024): Sean Kelly Gallery sold this piece for $225,000.
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Antonio Santín's Painting: Marc Straus Gallery sold a major work by Spanish artist Antonio Santín for $170,000 during the opening hours.
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Nigel Cooke's 2024 Work: Pace Gallery sold a piece by Nigel Cooke for $110,000.
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Jorge Méndez Blake's Work: OMR Gallery reported the sale of a piece by Jorge Méndez Blake for $100,000–$120,000.
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Janaina Tschäpe's Painting: Sean Kelly Gallery sold a work by Janaina Tschäpe in the range of $100,000–$125,000.
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Sebastian Silva's Work: OMR Gallery sold a piece by Sebastian Silva for $80,000–$100,000.
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Jose Dávila's Works: Sean Kelly Gallery sold multiple sculptures and a painting by Jose Dávila, each priced between $65,000 and $100,000.
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Alicja Kwade's Work: OMR Gallery sold a piece by Alicja Kwade for €50,000–€70,000 ($51,000–$72,000).
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Rodrigo Ramírez's Paintings: Swivel Gallery sold eight of nine paintings by Rodrigo Ramírez for $9,000 each, and one sculpture for $8,000.
These transactions highlight the fair's dynamic market and the strong interest from collectors in both established and emerging artists.
Final Thoughts
Zona Maco 2025 solidified its status as a must-visit event for the global art world. With a perfect blend of established and emerging talent, exclusive brand activations, and a strong international presence, this year's edition proved why Mexico City remains at the heart of Latin America's expanding art scene.
