THREE: tips from industry professionals
Clara Ríos
Curatorial Director of MAPA Art Fair
1.
What is the first thing you look at when opening a portfolio? What catches your attention immediately?

The first thing I look at is the artwork itself. If it captures me visually, I start digging deeper. Beyond personal taste—which is always subjective—I try to understand the materials, the artist's practice, and the intention behind the work.

A key aspect for me is how I imagine that work within the context of the fair and in dialogue with other works in the selection.

When it comes to emerging artists, the focus is entirely on the quality of what is being presented, how it is made, and the ideas it brings forward
2.
What is the most common mistake in an application? What can damage a good first impression?

Not reading the application guidelines. It sounds basic, but it happens all the time: missing deadlines or submitting incomplete information. Not providing accurate artwork information and technical details, or assuming that the jury will understand a complex proposal without renderings or strong visual documentation, can also weaken an application. There's a saying: 'Better too much than too little.' If an application gives you a character limit, use the available space to explain your work clearly. For us, it's a real pleasure to read applications and genuinely understand an artist's proposal.

3.
What themes or artistic languages in contemporary art interest you the most right now?

I love painting, and MAPA has a strong pictorial presence because two-dimensional work is often more accessible from a commercial perspective. However, what truly gives an art fair depth and richness is the diversity of mediums.
Right now, I'm especially interested in installations, sculpture—particularly wall-based sculpture—and textile art, a medium that is currently bringing tremendous energy to contemporary gallery projects

+1
A simple piece of advice: What can an artist do today to help curators discover their work?

Art is an incredibly social discipline. You need to exhibit whenever possible, publish your work, attend openings, and meet people. Art fairs are fantastic spaces for this because they bring together an enormous amount of networking opportunities. You have to stay active, introduce yourself to gallerists, connect with other artists, and constantly nurture your professional network