It’s that time of year again when artists from all over the globe come together in Bangkok to share their artistic talents! The Bangkok Illustration Fair (BKKIF) returns for its 5th edition with a focus on creator character showcases from 16 countries, including China, Bangladesh, Brunei, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Russia, and Vietnam.
BKKIF was founded by creator friends—Vip Buraphadeja, founder of Happening; Kanoknuch Sillapawisawakul aka Dexembell; and Chonticha Homklinkaew, founder of What If—back in 2021. As the event was just coming out of the pandemic, the first-ever BKKIF was a hybrid of in-person showcases and live staging of portfolios in the Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC), while also having online showcases. Today, the event has expanded, catering to both domestic and international artists.
For 2025, the Bangkok Illustration Fair aims to strengthen international exchange, so there is an increase of artists from various parts of the globe and an International Alliance zone featuring 8 partners from 7 countries, like Bologna Children’s Book Fair (Italy), Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair (Malaysia), Illustration Taipei (Taiwan), Organisation of Illustrators Council and Illustration Art Festival (Singapore), Illustration Korea (Republic of Korea), Jakarta Illustration & Creative Arts Fair (Indonesia), Hong Kong Illustration and Creative Show (Hong Kong), and GAF Illustration Art Festival (China). There are also going to be dedicated exhibits and galleries where visitors can buy art, and a way to browse the on-the-ground pieces online through the bangkokillustrationfair.com online showcases.
Throughout the three-day event, art reviewers from Thailand and around the world will also arrive at the venue, giving a chance for up-and-coming artists to collaborate with them and to receive support from creative fellows and organizations interested in promoting the arts.
Catch the Bangkok Illustration Fair at CentralWorld in Bangkok from October 23 to 26 and witness talent from around the world. Follow the Bangkok Illustration Fair Facebook page to keep updated on the latest happenings for the event.