ARCO Madrid is not just a fair but a strategic platform where collectors, curators, and institutions engage with emerging and established artistic talent. As one of the first major art fairs of the year, it sets the tone for market trends, with a strong presence of European and Latin American galleries offering investment opportunities across modern and contemporary art segments. The fair’s focus on Latin America reinforces its relevance as a key bridge for collectors looking to diversify their collections with artists from this dynamic region.
Last year’s edition delivered solid sales, reinforcing its role as a key marketplace for modern and contemporary art. Almeida & Dale’s solo presentation of Rubem Valentim was a standout, with five sales, including three small paintings for $60.000 each and a larger piece for $180.000. Institutional acquisitions were strong, Museo Reina Sofía expanded its collection with 17 new works, while Fundación ARCO secured eight. Among high-value sales, Thaddaeus Ropac placed an Alex Katz painting for €800.000, and Hauser & Wirth sold a Lorna Simpson piece for $375.000. These results highlight ARCOmadrid’s continued influence in fostering both Latin American and European markets.
Wametise: Ideas for an Amazofuturism
This year, ARCO Madrid continues to strengthen its historical ties with Latin American art through the Profiles| Latin American Art section and the Wametise: Ideas for an Amazofuturism curatorial projects. Prominent Brazilian artists will be showcased in different sections of the fair, including modernists like Lygia Clark, Amílcar de Castro, and Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, alongside contemporary artists such as Adriana Varejão, Janaina Tschäpe, Luiz Zerbini, Lucas Arruda, and Laís Amaral.
Curated by Denilson Baniwa and María Wills, in collaboration with the Institute for Postnatural Studies, this section explores artistic narratives inspired by Amazonian cosmovisions. Named after a concept from Indigenous peoples of the Alto Rio Negro, Wametise refers to the moment when humanity was placed in different territories, creating new identities and ways of seeing the world. The works in this section address hybrid existences between human, plant, physical, and metaphysical bodies, offering new perspectives on sustainability and artistic practice.
Follow our coverage of the most relevant parallel events surrounding Amazon Futurism at the end of the article.
Brazilian Galleries at ARCO Madrid
General Program
Fortes D’Aloia & Gabriel (São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro)
A key player in the Brazilian contemporary art scene, the gallery presents a dynamic roster that bridges modernist legacies and contemporary experimentation, showcasing artists like Beatriz Milhazes and Ernesto Neto.
Gomide&Co (São Paulo)
Dedicated to modern and contemporary Brazilian art, Gomide&Co highlights dialogues between historical and contemporary practices, featuring artists who redefine national and global narratives.
Luciana Brito Galeria (São Paulo)
With a strong connection to Brazilian modernism, the gallery represents pioneering artists such as Waldemar Cordeiro while fostering new generations of contemporary voices.
Leme (São Paulo)
Known for its focus on urban space and material experimentation, Galeria Leme supports artists who challenge architectural, spatial, and conceptual boundaries in contemporary art.
Mendes Wood DM (São Paulo – Brussels – New York – Paris)
A leading international gallery, Mendes Wood DM fosters critical dialogues between diverse artistic practices, emphasizing political, historical, and conceptual investigations.
Raquel Arnaud (São Paulo)
A central figure in geometric abstraction and conceptual art, the gallery represents artists deeply engaged with constructive and neoconcrete movements, including Lygia Clark and Amílcar de Castro.
Vermelho (São Paulo)
A space for artistic experimentation, Vermelho Gallery is recognized for its cutting-edge program, embracing performance, new media, and conceptual narratives.
Zielinsky (Barcelona – São Paulo)
Operating between Brazil and Europe, Zielinsky Gallery showcases contemporary Latin American artists, establishing critical connections between regional and global art discourses.
Marcelo Guarnieri (São Paulo)
Balancing modern and contemporary art, Marcelo Guarnieri Gallery brings together different generations of Brazilian artists, offering a nuanced perspective on the country’s artistic production.
Portas Vilaseca (Rio de Janeiro)
Focused on emerging Brazilian artists, Portas Vilaseca is committed to fresh, experimental practices that expand the boundaries of contemporary art.
Wametise: ideias para um amazofuturismo
Athena (Rio de Janeiro)
Athena Gallery fosters innovative contemporary Brazilian art, showcasing artists whose work engages with issues of memory, identity, and socio-political landscapes.
Aura Galeria (São Paulo)
A gallery dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging talents, Aura encourages experimental artistic practices that challenge contemporary visual narratives.
Carmo Johnson Projects (São Paulo)
An independent curatorial platform, Carmo Johnson Projects promotes artists addressing critical environmental, social, and cultural themes.
Danielian (São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro)
Gallery PreviewWith a strong presence in both modern and contemporary Brazilian art, Danielian presents artists exploring diverse mediums and conceptual approaches.
Manaus Amazônia (Manaus)
Dedicated to amplifying Indigenous and Amazonian perspectives, the gallery brings forward artistic narratives rooted in ancestral traditions and contemporary discourse.
Millan (São Paulo)
A well-established gallery in Brazil, Millan represents both historical figures and contemporary artists who push the boundaries of artistic expression.
Perfis | Arte Latino-Americana
A Gentil Carioca (Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo)
Founded by artists, A Gentil Carioca is deeply engaged in cultural activism, promoting experimental and socially engaged artistic practices.
Cerrado Galeria (Brasília – Goiânia)
Inspired by the diverse ecosystems of its region, Cerrado Galeria highlights artists working outside mainstream circuits, offering fresh perspectives in contemporary art.
Instituto de Visión (Bogotá – São Paulo)
An investigative platform, Instituto de Visión represents Latin American artists whose works challenge dominant narratives and expand critical artistic discourse.
Martins & Montero (São Paulo)
A dynamic gallery fostering new voices in contemporary Latin American art, Martins & Montero presents artists who challenge aesthetic and conceptual conventions while engaging with political and social themes.
Parallel Events on Amazon Futurism
Exhibitions and Performances
Color Amazonia
Date: 04 March
Time: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Real Jardín Botánico, Madrid
Led by Susana Mejía, Color Amazonia explores the Amazon’s pigments with the Ticuna and Huitoto peoples. Over two decades, it has grown into a living archive of books, films, and a dye plant forest. The second edition of its 2014 publication launches at ARCOmadrid in March 2025, reflecting on its evolution since 2007.
Archivo Arkhé
Date: 04 March
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: Calle del Doctor Fourquet 18, Madrid
This exhibition, inspired by José Eustasio Rivera’s La vorágine, delves into the historical and ecological devastation of the Rubber Fever in the Amazon. Rivera’s novel, more than a love story, harshly critiques the enslavement and genocide of indigenous peoples in the Putumayo and Caquetá regions. Featuring artworks, photographs, and historical documentation, the exhibition highlights the lasting impact of this dark chapter in Latin American history.
Oro Tapado
Date: 04 March
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: La Casa Encendida, Madrid
Moderated by the Solidarity/Environment area, this discussion features Barbara Santos, Reynel Ortega, and Stephen Hugh Jones. Curated by María Wills, Oro Tapado seeks to reconnect with ancestral cosmologies, activating memory and revealing the underground forces that unite all beings. The conversation will explore themes of solidarity, environment, and cultural memory.
Convergencias/Divergencias Dos Estéticas en Diálogo
Date: 05 March
Time: 08:30pm – 10:00pm
Location: Casa de América, Madrid
At Casa de América, the Juan Carlos Maldonado Art Collection (JCMAC) presents a dialogue between Ye’kwana aesthetics and Geometric Abstraction. Curated by Ariel Jiménez, it features 110+ works alongside 60 Ye’kwana objects collected by Charles Brewer-Carías, highlighting the deep ties between ancestral art and modern abstraction.
Contemporary Amazonia. Hochschild Correa Collection
Date: 06 March
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid
Curated by Christian Bendayán and Luis Pérez Oramas, this visit explores Peruvian Amazonian art through works by 30 artists. The Hochschild Correa Art Collection highlights narratives intertwining nature, mythology, and socio-political history, offering a rare glimpse into an evolving artistic landscape gaining global recognition.
Performance Uýra
Date: 07 March
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid
In two acts indigenous artist Uýra transforms asphalt into a living forest, unveiling buried lands, memories, and waters silenced by colonial histories. Through ritual, movement, and collective participation, a vast root system emerges in public spaces, reawakening Grandmother Earth in the imagination of a sleeping humanity.
Talks
Collecting Forum: Modern And Contemporary Sensitivities Towards The Early Arts Of The Amazon
Date: 06 March
Time: 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Location: Auditorio Foro, Pabellón 9.
Moderated by Henrique Faria, with the participation of Ariel Jiménez, Maria Wills, Rodrigo Gutiérrez, and Juan Carlos Maldonado, this forum discusses the growing role of Amazonian arts in the collection of modern and contemporary art.
Echnologies, Rivers And Futurisms Of The Amazon
Date: 06 March
Time: 6:00pm – 6:45pm
Location: Auditorio #amazofuturismo, Pabellón
Moderated by María Wills and the Institute for Postnatural Studies, this talk explores Bárbara Santos’s research in Vaupés and Putumayo, examining the intersections of technology, Western “progress,” and ancestral knowledge.
Neocolonialism And Future Politicians Of The Amazon
Date: 07 March
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Location: Auditorio #amazofuturismo, Pabellón 7.
Moderated by María Wills and Denilson Baniwa, with Rember Yahuarcani and Suely Rolnik, this talk examines how art challenges colonial oppression and territorial issues in the Amazon. Focusing on art’s economic, social, and pedagogical roles, it explores dialogue, reparation, and resistance, expanding ways of understanding and inhabiting the planet for a more inclusive future.
Discussion: Amazonian Art
Date: 08 March
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Location: Auditorio #amazofuturismo, Pabellón 7.
Moderated by Denilson Baniwa, with Vânia Leal, José Roca, Synnove Urgilez, and Aycoobo, this talk explores how art challenges dominant narratives and amplifies indigenous artists. It examines the role of indigenous knowledge, mythologies, and methodologies in shaping Western thought, while addressing the fine line between appreciation, representation, and appropriation of Amazonian art.
Brand Collaborations and Special Projects
ARCO Madrid 2025 will also host collaborations with major brands, integrating contemporary art with luxury, design, and wellness experiences. Two key activations this year come from Lexus and Technogym:
Lexus Art Experience: The luxury automotive brand Lexus will present a conceptual installation focused on innovation and craftsmanship, inspired by the theme of Amazofuturism. As the official sponsor of the ARCOmadrid 2025 Best Booth Award, Lexus reinforces its commitment to supporting the arts and creative expression.
Technogym Art & Wellness: A collaboration between Technogym and designer Patricia Urquiola, this initiative explores the connection between art and well-being. Technogym will present a special installation at the fair, highlighting the role of movement and design in contemporary lifestyles. Visitors can experience a space where fitness and creativity converge, reflecting on how wellness influences artistic practice.
Madrid’s Art Scene Beyond ARCO
During ARCOmadrid week, the city becomes a vibrant hub for contemporary art, offering numerous opportunities beyond the fair itself. One highlight is the ARCO Gallery Walks, an initiative providing curated visits to Madrid’s top galleries. This year’s edition includes exhibitions at Galería Elba Benítez, Sabrina Amrani, Maisterravalbuena, and Travesía Cuatro, among others, showcasing a diverse range of artistic expressions.
Additionally, major museums and cultural institutions in Madrid align their programming with ARCO week. Visitors can explore exhibitions at the Museo Reina Sofía, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and Matadero Madrid, which will feature installations and contemporary projects connected to the themes discussed at ARCOmadrid 2025.
Join Us at ARCOmadrid 2025
Whether you are a collector, curator, or art enthusiast, ARCOmadrid 2025 offers a unique opportunity to engage with the contemporary art world. Stay ahead of market trends, explore groundbreaking curatorial projects, and discover new artistic perspectives. Follow our coverage for exclusive insights, and don’t miss the chance to experience one of the most dynamic weeks for contemporary art in Madrid.