Ayala Malls turns Makati into an open-air gallery with Art Walk rollout

Ayala Malls is blurring the line between retail and culture as it transforms select locations in Makati into open-access art destinations through Art Walk by Ayala Land, reinforcing its positioning as a “third space” for Filipinos beyond home and work.

Running from 30 January to 8 February, the initiative places contemporary artworks by leading Filipino and international artists into high-traffic mall environments, allowing art to be encountered amid everyday routines rather than behind gallery walls. Conceived as a complement to Art Fair Philippines, Art Walk extends the fair’s reach into spaces where people gather, shop, and commute.

The programme reflects Ayala Land’s long-standing view that art plays a role in shaping communities and enriching urban life, while offering Ayala Malls a platform to deepen engagement through cultural discovery.

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“Art Walk by Ayala Land is one of the most anticipated cultural events in the metro, and we’re proud to host it in Ayala Malls,” said Mae Dichupa, Ayala Malls’ head of marketing and consumer experience. “Bringing art closer to communities through our malls allows more people to discover and enjoy it in meaningful, everyday ways.”

Across participating locations, visitors can encounter a mix of large-scale installations, digital works, performance art, and wearable pieces. At Ayala Malls Circuit, Ronald Ventura’s Carousel reimagines public space through a visually dynamic installation that blends movement and fantasy. Greenbelt 5 Gallery hosts Mich Dulce’s Nagsasalitang Ulo alongside Joel Wijangco’s Art 2 Wear, merging fashion with narrative expression.

Digital art also plays a role in the experience. Isaiah Cacnio’s Between Thoughts appears across screens at One Ayala, Greenbelt, and Glorietta, offering brief moments of reflection within the pace of city life.

Beyond the malls, Greenbelt and the Ayala Foundation are hosting Mothering/Unmothering, a multidisciplinary exhibition by Triangulum curated by Vanini Belarmino, running from 26 January to 8 February. The exhibition reflects on women’s lives, care, and autonomy, with works displayed across Greenbelt and Ayala Museum. Among them is Tekla Tamoria’s AlterBibo, 2026, a personal installation exploring care, mothering, and becoming.

The programme also incorporates live and time-based works. Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen’s The Mitochondrial Eve will be presented on 7 February, while Lynn Lu’s performance Be Afraid Only of Standing Still moved through Ayala Museum, Greenbelt, and Ayala Triangle Gardens on 29 January.

All Art Walk installations hosted in Ayala Malls are free and open to the public, reinforcing the accessibility of the initiative. In a further nod to retail integration, Art Fair Philippines ticket holders can access exclusive dining offers at Ayala Malls Circuit from 6 to 8 February, with participating brands including Black Canyon, Buffalo Wings N' Things, Etan Drew's Gourmet Meat Pie, Mang Rudy's, and Texas Roadhouse.

Through Art Walk by Ayala Land, Ayala Malls continues to reposition its spaces as environments for pause, discovery, and connection, demonstrating how retail settings can serve as platforms for cultural engagement while enhancing footfall and dwell time.

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