Colombian Art is Booming

Colombian art is booming, with more than 40 art galleries opening across the country in the past few years, several international art fairs and Colombian artists enjoying global recognition.

Here’s how you can experience the best of the best:

Bogota

The Banco de la Republica’s Botero Museum is the capital’s most famous art gallery and the best place to enjoy the work of perennial favorite Fernando Botero. The National Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MAMBO) are worth visiting too, the latter houses one of the country’s most important permanent collections alongside its temporary exhibits.

Besides the big hitters, small, independent galleries are popping up across the city. In the historic center, La Peluqueria is part hair-salon, part-art gallery, with emerging art and artistic hair styling, while El Parqueadero, a converted car park, offers an exhibition space, workshops, and a library designed to encourage collaboration. Nearby Galeria MU is dedicated to fine art photography whereas Neebex, in a converted La Candelaria home, hosts diverse artistic works including films and live performances.

Further north, Chapinero’s Baobab exhibits emerging and established visual artists while AlcorrienteARTE, in Quinta Camacho, hosts art, music, dance and theater conferences alongside its exhibitions, as well as funding city social projects.

Cero Galeria, in the heart of the Zona T party zone, is dedicated to video art alongside visual, plastic, multimedia and architectural works. Nearby Galeria El Garaje exclusively promotes young talent, with a focus on painting, photography and drawing and, further north again, LaLocalidad, in Usaquen, offers a huge socio-cultural space with everything from yoga and handicraft chocolates to art workshops and exhibitions.