Palma is preparing to take centre stage in the contemporary art world with the launch of SUMMA Mallorca International Contemporary Art Fair, which will hold its inaugural edition from 29 May to 1 June 2025 at the iconic Palau de Congressos del Poble Espanyol. Under the direction of Óscar García García, the fair introduces an innovative and highly curated format, with thirty national and international galleries showcasing solo projects by both established and emerging artists.
With a strong commitment to avant-garde collecting, SUMMA Mallorca presents the Transversal Section, a curated artistic dialogue between Spain and Latin America led by Jordi Pallarès, alongside notable collaborations such as that of Fundación Nadine and artist Solimán López. More than just a fair, SUMMA is an immersive experience blending art, thought, heritage, and the Mediterranean lifestyle — establishing Palma as a new international cultural destination.
We spoke with its director, Óscar García García, about the vision, ambition, and distinctive character of this new initiative.
SUMMA Mallorca emerges as an essential event on the international contemporary art calendar, embracing a highly selective format. What is the curatorial vision driving this first edition, and how has it been conceived to engage with the most discerning collectors and the evolving dynamics of the art market?
SUMMA Mallorca has been conceived to respond to the evolving dynamics of contemporary collecting, championing an innovative, intimate, and forward-looking format that positions Palma as a leading cultural destination.
The fair brings together 30 national and international galleries with a clear and focused approach: each will present a Solo Project, turning every stand into a dedicated exhibition space for a single artist.
In doing so, SUMMA Mallorca highlights both emerging and mid-career galleries and artists, offering a carefully curated selection of works across a wide range of disciplines, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, urban art, ceramics, digital art, performance, and textile art.
The Transversal Section, which brings together leading creators from Spain and Latin America, introduces an aesthetic and critical narrative that is profoundly contemporary. What criteria have guided the selection of these artistic voices?
In addition to its General Section, SUMMA Mallorca will feature a Transversal Section, curated by Jordi Pallarès, which centres on the artistic dialogue between Spain and Latin America. This section will showcase projects by artists and galleries from Venezuela, Mexico, and Argentina, fostering critical and creative connections across both sides of the Atlantic.
Far from being a mere geographical comparison, the Transversal Section aims to highlight shared sensibilities, tensions, and contemporary narratives, reflecting on issues such as identity, politics, memory, and the role of art in social transformation.
As part of this initiative, the fair will also host a roundtable discussion dedicated to exploring these artistic connections between Spain and Latin America. The objective is to give voice to artists, galleries, and curators, encouraging a reflective and collaborative dialogue on the evolving relationship between these two regions — one that continues to shape the global cultural landscape.
Palma is not merely the host city for the fair — it becomes its extended stage, offering a programme that interweaves art, heritage, and the Mediterranean lifestyle. What role does the city play as a natural ally to SUMMA Mallorca, and what kind of experience has been curated for collectors, gallerists, and international guests?
In addition to hosting roundtable discussions, guided tours, acquisition prizes from various collections, artistic interventions, and live music, the fair opens outwards, transforming into an immersive experience where art, culture, and heritage seamlessly converge.
Visitors are invited to discover Palma through curated cultural and gastronomic routes, including exclusive visits to Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani de Palma, Casal Solleric, and the Fundació Miró Mallorca. The aim is to invigorate the city’s cultural landscape and to position Palma as a leading destination for contemporary art.
In a global context where art fairs compete for the attention of an increasingly sophisticated and diverse collector base, what makes SUMMA Mallorca a particularly compelling event for international audiences and major private collections?
SUMMA Mallorca is an unmissable event for lovers of the most current art. Alongside a carefully curated selection of galleries and artists, the fair offers the chance to enjoy an artistic experience in a welcoming and accessible setting — one that invites you to meet the key figures of the contemporary art scene while enjoying a truly unique encounter.
