TWO LEADING PANAMANIAN GALLERIES BRIDGING GAPS AND BUILDING CONNECTIONS

Panama boasts a rich artistic output with deep historical roots. Yet, with fewer than ten active galleries, its art scene is still in an early stage of consolidation. Pinta Panamá Art Week not only offers a window into the country’s artworks and artists but also introduces the institutions that have been sustaining and promoting its development for years.

DiabloRosso: a project that fills voids

Founded in 2006 by a group of five friends, DiabloRosso emerged as a multidisciplinary space aiming to contribute to a cultural scene they saw as traditional and limited. “DiabloRosso didn’t begin solely as a gallery; it was also meant to fill the voids we felt existed in Panama,” recalls its director Johann Wolfschoon in conversation with Arte al Día. It functions as a creative think tank that supports and promotes artistic talent in its broadest definition.

Located on Avenida Central—one of the most popular streets in Panama City—the gallery displays its exhibitions in street-facing windows, allowing the public to view almost the entire show without stepping inside. It’s a space designed to bring art closer to the people, sparking ideas and conversations. The exhibitions follow that logic: made for passersby who might not otherwise engage with art.

For nearly two decades, DiabloRosso has operated as an independent space that fosters experimentation, interdisciplinary practices, and the building of both professional and emotional bonds among artists, curators, cultural workers, and diverse audiences. In a context where the artistic ecosystem is not yet fully consolidated—with artists and gallerists present, but few collectors—the gallery takes on the challenge of generating interest in art and building community in Panama.

“Today the focus is on what the gallery can do for the community it's part of,” Wolfschoon explains. “I aim to contribute to those with fewer opportunities and support the local scene, the museum, and young artists,” he adds.

DiabloRosso will take part in Pinta Panamá, and Johann Wolfschoon—architect at Sketch and director of the gallery—will participate in the FORO on Friday, May 23 at 3:30 p.m. at the Auditorio Mercantil.

NG Gallery: from education to visibility

Founded in 2014, NG Gallery began with a strong presence at international art fairs and digital platforms before opening its first physical space in Panama City. Since then, the project, led by Gaby Carbonell, has grown steadily, supporting the development of Panama’s artistic ecosystem and fostering strong links between artists, institutions, and audiences.

Today, NG Gallery is part of Centro Espacio Arte, a building that houses various exhibition halls and curatorial projects. This shared environment strengthens ties with other initiatives and expands the gallery’s impact—not only in terms of visibility, but also in education and critical thinking. “Someone might come for the gallery, but they end up exploring the whole center,” says Carbonell, emphasizing the importance of creating experiences that integrate multiple perspectives on contemporary art.

NG Gallery’s work combines the representation of young and emerging artists with the support of more established figures. “Our roster doesn’t follow a single aesthetic line,” explains its director, who emphasizes that what matters most is the organic relationship between the gallery and each artist, their research, and their process.

One of the project’s key pillars is education. For years, NG Gallery has organized seminars, workshops, and student visits with the aim of fostering critical thinking and cultivating audiences attuned to contemporary art. This commitment is further reinforced today through the center’s associated foundations.

NG Gallery’s steady growth takes place in a context where Panamanian art is striving to consolidate itself through more spaces, greater professionalization, and new platforms for exhibition. Without losing sight of the challenges posed by a still-developing cultural policy, the gallery remains committed to a practice rooted in consistency, education, and the building of networks—fundamental pillars for Carbonell.

For its participation in the first edition of Pinta Panamá, NG Gallery will present a solo exhibition by Guatemalan artist Sandra Monterroso, whom it has represented for several years.