LONDON.- Following a hugely successful second year in London in 2011, in which 60 galleries took part and attendance figures surpassed 9000, PINTA, the Latin American Art Show will return to Earls Court Exhibition Centre this June to present the very best in modern and contemporary Latin American art. For the first time in the show’s six year history, PINTA will introduce artists from Spain and Portugal, reflecting the undeniable connection that these countries hold with the Latin American identity.

PINTA is a unique event that reflects the increasing demand for Latin American art worldwide. From museums to collectors, art work from Latin America has proved hot property over the past five years; the sale of a bronze sculpture by Colombian Fernando Botero reached a record $1.2 million (£727,000) at Sotheby’s in 2011, whilst ‘Tic-Tac-Toe Series C 8A’ by the Brazilian Cildo Meireles sold for £181,250 at Christie’s London in September 2011 – not only was this three times the low estimate for the piece but also the highest price achieved during this Contemporary Art Auction. With an exhibition of Diego Rivera currently on display at the MoMA in New York and Lygia Pape at the Serpentine Gallery in London, the success of Latin American art is evidently continuing into 2012.

Launched in New York City in 2007, PINTA has become the annual meeting place for Latin American Art. For 2012, three sections will be presented at PINTA London: Galleries, Solo Exhibitions and Art Projects - the latter of which is set to be curated by London-based Mexican, Pablo Leon de la Barra. Once more collaborating with over fifty international art galleries, the public can expect to view a cutting-edge series of works, ranging from neoconcrete to conceptual. This year’s highlights will include the exhibition Open Cube, a homage to Chilean artist Matilde Pérez - one of the leading figures in the kinetic art movement - curated by Ramón Castillo and sponsored by the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Anticipating the show’s third year in London, PINTA’s chairman Alejandro Zaia, commented: “Having celebrated a fantastic second year in London we are once again excited to bring the best in modern and contemporary Latin American art to the UK. Strong interest in the market is currently undeniable and with renowned institutions including the TATE Modern and Centre Pompidou lined up to acquire work from the show in 2012, this is a trend that will only continue to grow further.”

A full list of galleries exhibiting at PINTA London 2012 will be announced shortly.