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Exploring the Best Modern Galleries in Manila
Whether you are a seasoned collector or a weekend wanderer, navigating the city's creative landscape can be overwhelming. In this guide, we’ve curated the definitive list of the best modern galleries in Manila, highlighting the spaces where Philippine heritage meets the cutting edge of contemporary global art.
Modeka Creative Space
Modeka Creative Space (Photo by @modeka.art)
Modeka Creative Space is a dynamic, artist-led gallery that has quickly become a cornerstone of Manila's modern art scene. Its name—a play on "Modern Dekada"—reflects its mission to bridge the gap between traditional fine art and the multisensory experiences of the 21st century. The gallery is best known for its innovative two-level layout, featuring an iconic glass-walled mezzanine ("The GlassBox") designed for artist residencies and experimental installations.
Modeka Creative Space
Warehouse 20A, La Fuerza 1, 2241 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, 1231 Metro Manila, Philippines
Gravity Art Space
Gravity Art Space (Photo by @gravityartspace)
Gravity Art Space (GAS) is a bold, artist-run powerhouse that has redefined the traditional gallery model since its pandemic-era debut in 2021. Founded by artist Indy Paredes, the multi-level space—formerly a Japanese steakhouse—is celebrated for its "laboratory" approach, hosting an ambitious rotation of up to seven exhibitions a month that range from experimental installations to cross-disciplinary collaborations. What truly sets GAS apart is its integration of community and nightlife; it features a hidden speakeasy bar called Dirty Kitchen, a "brainstorming room" for creators, and a cinema lounge for artist films.
Gravity Art Space
1810 Mother Ignacia Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Ateneo Art Gallery
Ateneo Art Gallery (Photo by www.ateneo.edu)
Ateneo Art Gallery is a premier cultural destination nestled within the Areté creative hub at Ateneo de Manila University. Founded in 1960 through a landmark bequest by artist Fernando Zóbel, the gallery bridges the gap between post-war modernism and the experimental edge of contemporary art. It houses an unparalleled collection of works by National Artists and social realists, while its prestigious annual Ateneo Art Awards continues to define the trajectory of the local art scene.
Ateneo Art Gallery
Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, Soledad V Pangilinan Arts Wing, Katipunan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Finale Art File
Finale Art File (Photo by @finaleartfileinc)
This expansive 450-square-meter warehouse space is famous for its "Tall Gallery," which features soaring ceilings designed specifically to accommodate massive paintings and large-scale experimental installations. By successfully balancing its role as a commercial powerhouse with a commitment to avant-garde projects, Finale represents a diverse stable of creators—ranging from the iconic "modern masters" of the 20th century to the most daring emerging voices of today.
Finale Art File
Gate 1, La Fuerza Compound, Warehouse 17, 2241 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery
Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery (Photo by www.vinylonvinylgallery.com)
This avant-garde space has championed "peripheral" art forms—ranging from kinetic sculptures and post-internet art to unconventional works that utilize damaged canvases and social media as performance. The gallery serves as a vital laboratory for creative experimentation, where both emerging and established artists push the boundaries of the mainstream.
Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery
2241 Pasillo 18 La Fuerza Compound Chino Roces Ave, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Gateway Gallery
Gateway Gallery (Photo by @aranetacity)
Gateway Gallery is a unique "mall museum" that makes Philippine art and history accessible to the everyday commuter and shopper. It is best known for its flagship exhibit, SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art, a monumental collection of 30 large-scale murals created by University of the Philippines alumni that narrate the nation's story from pre-colonial roots to the modern era. As a free-admission space managed by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, the gallery functions as a vital community hub, hosting diverse rotating exhibitions, art workshops, and cultural talks.
Gateway Gallery
5F, Gateway Tower, Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
León Gallery
León Gallery (Photo by www.leon-gallery.com)
León Gallery is the Philippines’ premier auction house and gallery, specializing in museum-quality "Old Master" paintings and historically significant antiques. Since its founding in 2010 by Jaime Ponce de Leon, it has become the ultimate destination for high-end collectors, famously unearthing long-lost masterpieces by Juan Luna and setting world records for Filipino modernists like José Joya. Beyond its high-stakes auctions, the gallery offers an intimate, posh environment where visitors can view rare works by National Artists, colonial-era furniture, and pre-colonial gold pieces that are often tucked away in private collections.
León Gallery
Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1224
Artist Space
Artist Space (Photo by @namiartgallery)
Artist Space is one of Manila’s most dynamic platforms for both emerging talents and established artists to showcase their work. This glass-walled gallery serves as a highly accessible "breathing space" within the city's busy central business district, offering a rotating schedule of solo and group exhibitions that change every two weeks. Because of its strategic location and free admission, it bridges the gap between the formal museum experience and the public, providing a professional venue for diverse artistic expressions ranging from traditional painting to experimental mixed media.
Artist Space
2nd Floor, Glass Wing, Ayala Museum, Highway Drive, Corner East Drive, Makati City, 1200 Metro Manila, Philippines
Silverlens
Silverlens (Photo by www.silverlensgalleries.com)
Silverlens is widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s most influential contemporary art galleries, serving as a vital bridge between the Philippines and the global art stage. The gallery is celebrated for its rigorous curatorial vision and its representation of high-profile artists like Pacita Abad and Maria Taniguchi. Silverlens transcends the traditional gallery model by actively participating in top-tier international fairs like Art Basel and fostering deep institutional partnerships.
Silverlens
2263 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City, 1231 Metro Manila, Philippines
Digital National Art Museum
Digital National Art Museum (Photo by www.klook.com)
Digital National Art Museum (DNA Museum) is the Philippines’ first immersive healing art sanctuary, blending nature-inspired aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. Unlike traditional galleries, this multisensory space features 12 interactive rooms—such as "Flower Overture" and "Electric Bloom"—where projection mapping, AI, and motion sensors allow artworks to respond to your movement in real-time. Designed to promote emotional well-being and creativity, the museum offers a dreamlike, 360-degree environment that culminates in a digital teabar where flowers bloom across your drink.
Digital National Art Museum
Luneta, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines
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