As it has become more international in scope, Zona Maco has developed something of a split personality during its long run. Some 21 years since it was founded, however, the Mexico City art fair still serves its primary function well: to showcase the top galleries of its home city.
These galleries come back regularly, just as they are present for the 2025 edition, which opened its VIP day on Wednesday at the Centro Citibanamex. This year’s fair features some 200 galleries from 29 countries, and sits at the heart of a week packed with events and satellite fairs including Material and Salón Acme. At Zona Maco, these local heavyweights are mostly putting forward group exhibitions that highlight the bigger names on their rosters: Zona Maco is always a welcome reminder—or an education for newcomers—of which galleries have dominated the city’s art scene for the past two decades.
Zona Maco made a special effort this year to showcase artists from the Global South, and it was these first-time exhibitors who made the most of the opportunity. New York–based Palo Gallery had a standout booth centered around the Liberian artist Lewinale Havette, whose work takes on themes of migration and spirituality. Entering the booth, there was a real sense of discovering new talent.
