ARCO LISBON Art Fair
ArcoLisboa 2026
If you are familiar with ARCO Madrid, you might be surprised by this unique historical vibe. It takes place again at the Cordoaria Nacional, a former naval manufacturing center dating back to 1779. This long building is supported by sturdy iron pillars and covered by old timber roofs. You cannot get lost in the exhibition space, as there are only two aisles - one along the street, the other along the garden. Large windows let in maximum daylight and airflow.
- There are 83 galleries,
- of which 30 are Portuguese and 53 international.
- 17 represented countries.
ARCOlisboa 2026 marks an interesting double moment: it is the fair’s tenth year in Lisbon, but its ninth edition. The difference stems from the pandemic-related interruption. For us, it is also a small milestone, as this is our fifth consecutive visit to ARCOlisboa, beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Context of the art fair
Portugal is now a hotspot for high-net-worth individuals, principal collectors of international art fairs, for several reasons:
- The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime grants tax exemptions and reductions on specific types of foreign income for a period of ten years.
- A highly favorable tax environment for businesses with competitive corporate tax rates.
- The golden visa policy.
- Portugal, like Spain, is the least dependent on Russian fossil fuels in Europe.
- A privileged relation with the US and South American countries.
Art fair articles:
- Are Art Fairs Worth It?
- ARCO Lisbon
- ARCO Madrid
- Art fairs for individual artists
- Different types of art fairs
- Superfine art fair review
- What is an art fair?
TIMESCAPE
The entrance project has changed significantly from last year. In 2025, the entrance area presented works connected to acquisitions by the Câmara de Comércio de Lisboa, almost like a time capsule of previous ARCOlisboa editions. This year, the fair's opening is no longer defined by that acquisition-based format. Instead, the entrance project is presented with Lisboa Cultura and takes the form of a solo exhibition: Jorge Martins, Timescape, curated by Óscar Faria. The exhibition opened one day before the official opening of ARCOlisboa, and continues until 30 August 2026.
GENERAL PROGRAMME
The Organizing Committee selected 61 galleries for the General Program. This group includes debuts and returning participants from previous editions.
I only have eyes for you - Carlos Aires
Markus Linnenbrink - veryveryhungry - Epoxy resin on wood
Dwelling Within - Tsherin Sherpa - RossiRossi
Fábio Colaço - UV print on shoes - ADN Gallery
ARCHIPELAGO OF ART STORIES
Curated by Romanian curator Cosmin Costinas.
This ninth edition includes Archipelago of Art Stories, a curated section that examines how memory and ancestral craft techniques persist in current art. The six invited galleries present works that draw directly on specific cultural lineages and bring them into a contemporary context.
Vanessa Barragao - Vital - This is not a white cube
Bleached Coral
Joana Vasconcelos - Kerouac - Baro gallery
SOLO SECTION
The new SOLO Projects will feature new works from international artists to enhance the general program.
Saelia Aparicio - Rio Menaka Gallery
Vanessa Da Silva - Duarte Sequeira
ARCO Lisboa compared to other fairs
“The organization is really good, and it has the advantage of being an easier entry than ARCO Madrid. People tend to buy the last days; in contrast to fairs like Frieze and Basel, you are done if you don’t sell the 1st day. Compared to last year, ARCO Lisboa has now established itself. I've observed an influx of Austrian art galleries and collectors. The fair also appears to have piqued the interest of numerous Brazilian collectors. On top of that, the new Solo section was attractive! So much so that it appealed to me to return again this year. This year marks my third art fair following my experiences at Art Rotterdam and Art Dusseldorf."
- Cornelis van Almsick
ARTSLIBRIS
This section is dedicated to art publications and editions.
ArtsLibris
ArtsLibris organizes its own fairs with curatorial projects, seminars, debates, exhibitions, performances, and interdisciplinary collaborations. It is a dynamic publishing community connecting art and society through book-objects.
ArtsLibris also has a permanent space shared with the Rocio Santa Cruz Gallery in Barcelona. And a store specializing in artist books, photo books, and self-publishing. They support a network of publishers, artists, and institutions.
ArtsLibris curation
If you are an artist self-editor, you can contact ArtsLibris. If accepted, they can propose you take a commission on sales or adopt the deposit technique, which consists of acquiring a stock of books upfront.
Artslibris doesn't limit its curatorial to Spanish books and accepts English content.
El Naufraguito
Here is an example of their collection with El Naufraguito from Ceferino Galán, an artist from Barcelona who has been publishing a small art fanzine every month since 1989.
Al-Tiba9
Al-Tiba9 also combines an art gallery and an editorial.
Founded and curated by Mohamed Benhadj, Al-Tiba9 releases a new edition at every ARCO Madrid. All interviews are available on the official website, with a selection included in the books.
Artists featured in Al-Tiba9 often contact the platform directly, and their work can be featured for free. However, for venues and festivals, Al-Tiba9 offers paid professional services.
Oviedo Art School
Founded in 1785 in Oviedo, Asturias, the School of Art of Oviedo has evolved into an institution with modern facilities and advanced technology. During our visit to the school, we were impressed by their expertise in diverse media and techniques and their deep passion for them. On top of that, professors and the school director come all along to Lisbon at Arco to show the work of their students.
OPENING SECTION
Curated by Sofia Lanusse and Diogo Pinto, this section presents 17 galleries that “promote new languages and artistic spaces.” These galleries usually introduce emerging artists. After they build a track record, they may enter the General Programme of ARCOmadrid and ARCOlisboa. Prices in the Opening section reflect the artists’ early career stage. For example, the painting below "As if the sky offered" costs 2,500 euros. If the gallery reaches the General Program, such works will no longer be available at this price.
As if the sky offered - charcoal on paper - Krizia León Porta gallery
Claudia Alarcón - Gallery Remota
Saelia Aparicio - Rio Menaka Gallery
ARCOlisboa's previous editions
ARCOlisboa 2024
Pedro A.H. Paixão
Gallery 111
This work is from a monochrome series featuring graphite and pencil drawings. This series focuses on the neocolonial period in Central Africa, exploring themes of struggle, emancipation, and the possibility of reparations. The political history is depicted in a dreamlike, magical atmosphere, suggesting animist beliefs and journeys of initiation.
In the labyrinth's heart - pencil on paper - 191x140cm
Tamar Nadiradze
Gallery 4710
The artwork series “as if I fall asleep” explores the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing the importance of choices in social and political contexts. The pieces reflect how our environment influences decisions and question the concept of homeland, freedom, and survival under pressure. The artist uses watercolors and pencils to convey these themes, focusing on composition, color, and symbolism.
The gallery is named after Ushba, which stands at 4,710 meters, the favorite mountain of Nini Darchia, its owner. This name complements the gallery's curatorial practice, which draws inspiration from various poems for its exhibition titles. Nini Darchia, who has a punk approach to running the gallery, initially resisted participating in art fairs. However, she now acknowledges their necessity for gaining recognition and plans to attend three or four fairs annually.
Laetitia Ky
Gallery Lis10
Before being recognized as an artist, Laetitia Ky was an activist and influencer, so her message is as important for her as her visual expression. The idea of self-portraits with figurative shapes and hairstyles comes from colonial photos. Her paintings and sculptures celebrate the artist’s roots and are a powerful tool of communication designed to raise public awareness around issues of race, gender equality, and social justice.
M'barek Bouhchichi
(L'Atelier 21)
M'barek Bouhchichi's work explores social segregation within the Berber community and the widespread invisibility they face, captured through his poignant series of portraits.
Marina Vargas
(Gallery Fernando Pradilla)
With these masks, Marina Vargas assembles a mystical dialogue between talismanic elements, playing with the idea of the occult. The artist is inviting new interpretations of the role of women in society from a feminist perspective.
Mbagani. Circumcision mask
Makonde body mask
Adriana Molder - Oh, Fuck the Old Ways
Adriana Molder
"I started working with her last year. She is a mid-career artist already well-established. Her father, Jorge Molder, a well-known photographer, dramatically inspires her work.
The portrait series she crafted mirrors old movies she watched during the lockdown. And the standout piece shows a Victorian woman. Like the previous year, this artwork made a striking impression at the expo."
A little anecdote
"Last year's piece caught the attention of the city hall, who were keen to purchase it. Unfortunately for them, a collector had already secured it. They requested that I call him so he could reconsider, but he declined. Supposedly, both parties were happy when the city hall agreed to acquire another piece that wasn't on display. But the collector never showed up afterwards."
- Rui Brito | Gallery 111
Arco Lisboa 2023
Alejandra Venegas - Durst Britt & Mayhew Gallery
Hong Zeiss - Zeller Van Almsick
Arco Lisboa 2022
Richie Culver - Lehmann+Silva Gallery
Susy Gomez QUANTUM 7
Galeria Horrach Moya
Dejan Dukic - Zeller van Almsick
Guillermo García Cruz - Wall XXIILX - Galería Zielinsky
Dagmar Van Weeghel - DIASPORA
Epheas Maposa - 31Project Gallery
Too much hallway video – not enough focus on the art.