Bangkok Illustration Fair 2024

By partnering up with international organizations from 7 countries

Tickets for the 5-8 December 2024 event are on sale now!

Bangkok Illustration Fair (BKKIF), an illustration event that Thai artists and creators from around the world are watching eagerly, is the fourth event taking place next month. The goal is to support and unlock the potential of Thai illustration to develop by expanding from domestic eyes to the worldwide level. Organized by happening and WHAT IF in cooperation with international institutes and several international organizations, the event is stepping up to the next level and will be held from 5-8 December 2024 at centralwOrld LIVE, 8th floor of centralwOrld.

The event has attracted a lot of attention from both Thai and foreign illustrators, with over 529 applicants in total from over 21 countries during the open call from 19 August to 18 September 2024.

The growth of BKKIF 2024 can be seen in every aspect. Firstly, the number of artists that are selected has increased from 150 to 161 artists, consisting of 116 Thais and 45 foreigners, altogether from 13 countries which are Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Australia, Russia, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Bangladesh. All artists including 11 guest artists will showcase their works together in Bangkok Illustration Fair 2024.

Moreover, Bangkok Illustration Fair 2024 received a lot of attention from organizations, institutions, consumer brands, agencies, and international organizations who take part as 'Reviewers' coming to observe the works of 161 artists and select those who are of interest and give rewards that can be considered as 'Opportunities' to work together in various forms depending on the interest and expertise of the two. There are over 50 reviewers this year.

With 3 years of extensive experience, the goal to bring potentially talented Thai artists to the world stage is clear. On the one hand, BKKIF Artists have been acclaimed for their work exhibition whenever they receive a reward for exhibiting their works overseas. On the other hand, foreign artists being selected as BKKIF Artists makes the event more well-known to the rest of the world. The visiting artists have become spokespersons sharing their valuable experiences with their fellow artists, whether about the organizing standard, the artist facilitator system, the friendliness of Thai artists that turns into a great relationship, or the event's popularity among the local audiences. In addition, BKKIF has been praised by international organizers as one of the largest illustration fairs in Southeast Asia.

The number of applicants, which includes artists and reviewers within the country and overseas, is overwhelmingly positive, proving that BKKIF is one of the highlighted fairs for illustrators in Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions. As a result, BKKIF 2024 is committed to the goals as follows:

Firstly, BKKIF has expanded its cooperation with both domestic and international organizations including partners from 7 overseas countries which are Italy, China, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, in the hope of exchanging knowledge and experiences. Several rewards are also given to attending artists by various Thai and international organizations, institutions, and consumer brands. The organizing team has added space for the Around the World and Artist Exchange zones for Thai and international organizations with the potential to host illustration exhibitions, who will attend as Content Partners. This is to facilitate more diverse exhibitions and knowledge sharing between those interested in art and illustration while leveraging new experiences for local audiences in Bangkok and raising awareness of BKKIF Artists.

Secondly, there will be a space for Business to Artist (also known as 'B2A Matching') that allows artists to introduce themselves and present their works, according to observations from the past years. As all artists are filled with high potential and talent to create works that match different industries, many organizations and business owners still seek artists to join them even though they are not one of the reviewers. Therefore, the B2A space is provided mainly for anyone interested in contacting the artists for future work opportunities. The registration details will be announced via the BKKIF Facebook page.

Lastly, an exhibition space for educational institutions is provided because they play important roles in shaping the future of artist development. This is a chance for them to promote their courses and the students to present their work free of charge. Although the space may be limited, the BKKIF organizing team hopes to continue to provide and improve this opportunity shortly for upcoming events.

In summary, the Bangkok Illustration Fair called for artists to showcase their works online for the first time in 2021 and successfully gained 479 applicants from 5 countries. BKKIF 2022 gained 534 applicants from 8 countries and BKKIF 2023 at 767 applicants from 10 countries, respectively. This year, BKKIF 2024 had 529 applicants from 21 countries, resulting in over 1,843 unique artists who have their works exhibited on the website, with over 24,000 art pieces. Today, the BKKIF site can be considered one of the largest illustration online platforms where anyone interested in viewing art or seeking artists to work with can visit, have a look, and pick artists of their choice.

As for the number of showcases, BKKIF 2022 had over 11,700 audiences, and BKKIF 2023 had over 10,500 audiences, respectively, proving its popularity among people of all groups in the illustration industry, ranging from students in school and college, working-age groups, public and private organizations, as well as tourists. BKKIF Artists are then exposed to different people with different backgrounds, from selling their own works to presenting their art for work opportunities. This reflects potential and new possibilities for Thai illustrators.

In terms of economic impact, organizing Bangkok Illustrator Fair 2023 creates an impact on the overall economic output at 25.77 million baht, divided into a direct impact of 13.76 million baht, an indirect impact of 8.6 million baht, and an induced impact of 3.41 million baht. Considering the economic impact, last year's event contributed to the GDP valued at 22.16 million baht and created revenue from the government tax of 1.78 million baht. Moreover, the event resulted in 34 people being employed (equivalent to full-time employment for 1 year), excluding other economic activities relating to work opportunities from reviewers throughout the year. BKKIF is expected to be one of the art events that continues to help drive the creative economy for Thailand by attracting artists and tourists, both Thais and foreigners, to visit every year.

Bangkok Illustration Fair 2024 is taking place at centralwOrld LIVE, 8th floor of centralwOrld. With over 1,500-square-meter space, the event consists of exhibition and activities as follows:

Showcase is an exhibition space for 161 BKK Artists, where audiences will get to talk, share experiences, and get inspired by the artists in a close manner. They will be selling their merchandise along side with the exhibitions from 11 guest domestic and international artists including Prayoon Chanyavongs, a famously known artist with the nickname 'Thailand's King of Cartoons', Lucia Choi, a South Korean calligraphy artist, Maitoparta Kuma, a Japanese artist with a modest yet vibrant design, Humble Land joined by 2 artists; Jackkrit Anantakul and Patidta Anantakul, Suthipa Kamyam, a Thai designer has worked for several global brands, Sarawut Panhnu who has been widely acclaimed for his work starring in a famous Thai TV series 'The Believers (2024)', Waris or Waritsara Juntacut, a female street artist who has her works through the world, Patiphan Sottiwilaiphong, a digital artist known for his CGI and is currently working as a CGI Supervisor for Illusion Co., Ltd., Kias Matt, a paper engineer who portrays her stories with interesting dimensions, YEEDIN or Rasika Saiseang (Panpan), an artist with a fun style that once could be seen on BTS cars, and pplaksana, a surrealism artist who received a Popular Vote award from BKKIF 2023. Altogether the artists will bring their illustration works to life for the audiences.

Around the World and Artist Exchange joined by 12 Content Partners, which are T.A.C.C., The Art Auction Center, Bar B Q Plaza, International Illustration Festival Shanghai (IIF), Taipei Illustration Fair (TIF), Illustration Taipei, Bologna Children's Book Fair (Italy), Illustration Korea, Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair (KLIF), Jakarta Illustration & Creative Arts Fair (JICAF), Organization of Illustrators Council (OIC), and International Arts Festival (Singapore).

BKKIF Candidate Showcase has increased in size for every one of the BKKIF 2024 artists so that audiences can fully enjoy the works.

BKK Wall is a space for artists or anyone who likes to create art to bring their works of any kind, as well as their contacts and place them on the wall for everyone to see. The wall is for anyone and not limited to the artists.

Key Visual of BKKIF2024 is created by OLE, one of BKKIF 2023's artists, who has been awarded as a key visual artist for the event for his outstanding illustration using different shapes and fun vibrant colors to tell stories.

Bangkok Illustration Fair 2024 is held on 5-8 December 2024 everyday from 10am - 8pm at centralwOrld LIVE, 8th floor of centralwOrld. The ticket is available now! Via Eventpop at 150 baht (including processing fee and VAT). Tickets at the door are also available for 200 baht.

Event Ticket

Ticket is available online at https://www.eventpop.me/s/bkkif2024

Payment Option: Credit/Debit Card, QR PromptPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay

Free entry for children under 130 cm

Those who already have an e-ticket on Eventpop can present the QR Code to receive a wristband and access the event.

Bangkok Illustration Fair 2024 is in partnership with a government sector-The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

And receives kind support from Central THAM, centralwOrld, ThaiBev, S&P, eventpop