ALT Art 2026 returned to the SMX Convention Center from Feb. 13 to 15, occupying approximately 5,000 square meters across Halls 1 and 2 and presenting works by more than 300 artists.
Now in its fourth edition, the fair brought together nine established galleries in a layout designed with open sightlines and shared spaces rather than conventional booth divisions.
The presentation featured a wide range of contemporary practices, including large-scale installations, conceptual painting, ceramics, political commentary, and experimental media. Visitors moved through an expansive hall where monumental works were displayed alongside more intimate pieces, reflecting the diversity of current Philippine contemporary art.
Among the works that drew sustained attention during the fair was “Weight of the Day,” a hyperrealist sculpture by Manila-based artist Lindslee, the professional name of Lindsey James Lee. Installed at the Artinformal section, the life-sized piece depicts a seated man slumped on a white monobloc chair.
Constructed from fiber-reinforced resin cast from clay and layered with acrylic and epoxy, the sculpture incorporates human hair, found clothing, religious amulets, and a preserved bird positioned on the figure’s head.
The detailed rendering — including visible skin texture and perspiration — prompted many visitors to pause for closer inspection. Images of the work circulated widely on social media during the fair, contributing to online discussion about its realism and subject matter. The piece was listed at ₱730,000.
Lindslee, a Fine Arts graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, is known for exploring unconventional materials in sculpture and for incorporating elements of everyday Filipino life into his practice. The figure in “Weight of the Day” is not modeled after a specific individual, but reflects a recognizable character shaped by social and cultural influences.
The sculpture was originally part of the artist’s exhibition in Makati before being temporarily presented at ALT. Its inclusion at the fair added to the range of works on view, which spanned emerging artists and established names across multiple galleries.
ALT Art 2026 concluded with a continued emphasis on collaboration among galleries and expanded presentation formats, underscoring the evolving landscape of contemporary art in the Philippines.
