The 21st edition of Artbo, Colombia's premier art fair, opened in Bogotá with 46 galleries, down from its peak a decade ago. The fair is framed by the inaugural Bogotá Biennial, which adds international draw, and a leadership change: Jaime A. Martínez, an art historian and former gallerist, takes over from María Paz Gaviria. Early sales include works by Tania Candiani, Marcelo Moscheta, and Ximena Garrido-Lecca, with galleries reporting cautious but engaged Colombian collectors.
This edition matters because Artbo demonstrates resilience amid domestic economic flux—lingering effects of peso devaluation, inflation, and political shifts—and a global art market crisis. By focusing on Latin American and Colombian art, and synergizing with the new Bogotá Biennial, the fair positions itself as a key platform for regional circulation, attracting international collectors and curators despite structural challenges.