Art. Ubers. Tacos.
Mexico City Art Week was my first time visiting Zona Maco, and while that was the anchor for the trip, I quickly realized it was only a small slice of what CDMX has to offer.
Overall take? It was energizing, overwhelming in the best way, and exactly what I hoped for. I wanted to discover galleries and artists I had not seen before, and Mexico City delivered. The fairs surrounding Zona Maco were vibey and fun, and the city itself felt like it was fully participating. People were there to look at art, eat incredible food, and see stunning architecture.
I was only in Mexico City for 48 hours, and while I saw a ton of work, it barely scratched the surface.
Quick pro tip before diving in. Mexico City is massive. You will spend a lot of time in traffic. Thankfully, Ubers are far more affordable than in the US, which makes the inevitable long rides a little easier to accept.
Below is my take on the highlights and some of the standout moments from the whirlwind.
Zona Maco
Zona Maco is the largest and most established fair of the week, and it shows. The caliber of galleries and artists was high, with a strong international presence balanced by excellent regional representation.
What I appreciated most was how much range there was. It did not feel repetitive or predictable. If anything I felt there was more sculpture, color, and fiber works included in this fair’s presentations, which I think is a general reflection of the aesthetic of the region combined with trend in collectors tastes towards works with more obvious texture and dimension.
Some of my favorite booths included:
- Proyectos Monclova, showcasing work by Brenda Cabrera and Hilda Palafo
- CURRO, with standout works by Juan Manuel Salas
- I really loved the co-exhibition from between Georgina Pound Gallery, a brand new gallery in Mexico City, that presented alongside Carl Freedman Gallery where they both showed works by Mónica Figueroa and Vanessa Raw.
- K Contemporary, exhibiting work by Anne von Freyburg was so bright and immersive.
- Simoes De Assis had a great booth, with one of my favorites by Patricia Iglesias Peco.
- Hilda Palafox and Ana González showcased works with Sean Kelly.
Zona Maco felt like a strong pulse check on established contemporary artists and galleries while still leaving room for discovery.
Masa Gallery
The next day was dedicated to local galleries, and MASA Gallery was a standout.
My favorite work there was by Brian Thoreen. His practice plays with familiar domestic forms and transforms them through unexpected materials and scale. The large rubber sculpted candles were particularly compelling. They felt playful at first glance, but the longer you looked, the more they challenged ideas around permanence, utility, and value.
This was one of those moments where I could easily imagine how a piece would live in a space, quietly powerful without needing to shout.
Kurimanzutto
We also visited Kurimanzutto to see Oscar Murillo’s exhibition.
The space alone is stunning. Industrial, expansive, and incredibly well suited to Murillo’s work. The exhibition felt immersive and confident, with a physical presence that matched the scale of the building. This was one of those stops where the architecture and the art felt completely in sync.
CASA WABI and Material
After grabbing a few tacos and settling into a very long Uber ride, we arrived at Casa Wabi.
Casa Wabi is a nonprofit art foundation known for its sculptural architecture and artist residency program. The space is as much a part of the experience as the art itself. Thoughtfully designed, open, and serene, it sets a tone that encourages slowing down and really looking.
Right next door is Material, which had a noticeably different energy from Zona Maco. More emerging artists, more experimentation, and a younger crowd weaving through the booths.
Some of the booths I especially enjoyed:
- Two Seven Two with work I liked by Kelly Davis.
- Campeche with my favorite work by Waysatta Fernández.
- General Expenses with work by Antonio Vidal.
Material felt looser, more social, and very much about discovery. Lots of public foot traffic, lots of conversations happening right in the aisles, and a sense that people were genuinely excited to be there.
Salón Acme
We wrapped up at Salón Acme, which is housed in an incredible historic building and absolutely packed with people.
The immersive installation by Enrique López Llamas completely stopped me in my tracks. I honestly could not take my eyes off it. The scale, concept, and installation location were mesmerizing.
It was difficult to see everything because of the crowd, but the energy of the space made it worth it. I also loved a booth by Diego Zelaya, particularly a work featuring weights made out of fine china. Fragile and heavy at the same time, it felt like a quiet metaphor that stayed with me long after leaving.
Final Thoughts
Mexico City Art Week is not just about one fair. It is about the ecosystem. The galleries, the architecture, the food, the people, and the pace all play a role.
In 48 hours, I saw more new artists and galleries than I expected, and I left knowing I will be back. For anyone considering visiting as a collector, advisor, or art-curious traveler, go with an open schedule, comfortable shoes, and patience for traffic. It is absolutely worth it.
If you are curious about any of the artists or galleries mentioned here, or want help navigating fairs like Zona Maco with a more focused lens, I am always happy to share more.
