The Bangkok Illustration Fair 2024 (BKKIF), a highly anticipated event for Thai illustrators and creative professionals from around the world, is entering its 4th edition. The fair, which aims to promote and enhance the potential of the Thai illustration industry, is set to grow and evolve on both national and international levels. Organized by happening and WHAT IF, the event is progressing with continued international collaboration, showcasing the development of BKKIF 2024 from December 5-8, 2024, at centralwOrld LIVE, 8th floor, centralwOrld shopping center.
Since opening artist registrations on August 19, 2024, until the closing date on September 18, 2024, a total of 529 artists from 21 countries have applied for participation.
BKKIF 2024 has seen growth across all aspects. The number of selected artists has increased from 150 to 161, including 116 Thai artists and 45 international artists. These artists represent 13 countries: Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Russia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Bangladesh. They will be displaying their work alongside 11 Guest Artists at the event.
Additionally, BKKIF 2024 has attracted interest from organizations, agencies, and brands, as well as international event organizers who will act as reviewers, assessing the work of the 161 selected artists. Over 50 reviewers will offer ‘opportunities’ for future collaborations based on shared interests and expertise. After three years of experience, the goal of showcasing Thai illustrators on the international stage is becoming increasingly tangible. Several Thai artists from past BKKIFs have received recognition and opportunities, exhibiting their works and establishing booths at international fairs with great success.
The participation of international artists has also enhanced BKKIF’s reputation abroad. Many artists who have previously attended the event now serve as ambassadors, sharing their valuable experiences and talking about the high standards and welcoming environment that the event offers. The fair has been recognized as the largest illustration-focused event in Southeast Asia by international event organizers.
The growing number of applicants, reviewers, and international attention confirms that BKKIF has become an essential platform for illustrators in Southeast Asia, Asia, and other regions. This year’s BKKIF 2024 is a significant milestone in the fair’s ongoing expansion, with several goals:
1. Expanding National and International Collaborations:
BKKIF 2024 has further expanded its network by collaborating with seven new international partners: Italy, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. This expansion facilitates greater exchange of knowledge and experiences. The event organizers have also increased the space for Around the World and Artist Exchange areas, where both Thai and international artists can display their works and engage with content partners, introducing international experiences to Bangkok.
2. Business to Artist (B2A) Matching:
This year, BKKIF has added a B2A area where businesses and organizations can connect with artists, offering opportunities for collaboration. This expansion is a response to increasing demand, with many Thai companies attending previous fairs to discover and collaborate with illustrators, even though they were not official reviewers.
3. Exhibition Space for Educational Institutions:
Recognizing the importance of art institutions in shaping the future of illustrators, BKKIF 2024 provides free exhibition space for art schools, giving students the chance to showcase their works. Although space is limited this year, the organizers aim to increase these opportunities in the future.
Since BKKIF first began accepting artist submissions in 2021, the number of applicants has steadily increased. In 2021, there were 479 applicants from five countries; in 2022, 534 from eight countries; in 2023, 767 from ten countries; and in 2024, 529 from 21 countries. Across four years, the platform has seen a total of 1,843 artists and more than 24,000 works displayed, making BKKIF’s online platform a central hub for illustrators and a key resource for people seeking artists for collaboration.
The showcase events have also gained significant attention, with 11,700 attendees in 2022 and 10,500 in 2023. This wide interest comes from a broad audience, including students, families, working professionals, government organizations, private enterprises, and international tourists. Artists have gained valuable experience, from selling merchandise based on their work to presenting concepts that could lead to future opportunities.
In terms of economic impact, BKKIF 2023 generated a total economic impact of 25.77 million baht, with 13.76 million baht in direct impact, 8.6 million baht in indirect impact, and 3.41 million baht in induced impact. This reflects BKKIF’s role in contributing to Thailand’s creative economy and attracting both local and international artists and tourists. The fair has also contributed 22.16 million baht to the national GDP, with tax revenue of 1.78 million baht and the creation of 34 full-time equivalent jobs.
BKKIF 2024 will take place from December 5-8, 2024, at centralwOrld LIVE, 8th floor, centralwOrld shopping center, covering an area of 1,500 square meters. The event will feature various sections, including:
Showcase: 161 BKKIF artists will display their works, allowing visitors to engage with and gain inspiration from the artists. There will also be displays from 11 Guest Artists, including notable figures such as Thai cartoonist King, Perayu Chanrayawong, South Korean calligrapher Lucia Choi, Japanese illustrator Maitoparta Kuma, and many others.
Around the World and Artist Exchange: 12 content partners from around the world will participate, including the International Illustration Festival Shanghai (IIF), Taipei Illustration Fair (TIF), and Bologna Children’s Book Fair (Italy), among others.
BKKIF Candidate Showcase: An additional showcase for all applicants to display their works, giving the audience a broader view of the submissions.
BKKIF Wall: A space for artists and enthusiasts to display their works, business cards, or creative projects.
The Key Visual for BKKIF 2024 is designed by OLE (Anusorn Phosakrit), a BKKIF 2023 artist, known for using shapes and colors to tell stories in a playful and dynamic way.
Tickets for the event are now available online through Eventpop for 150 baht (including fees and VAT). Tickets can also be purchased at the venue for 200 baht. Children under 130 cm in height can enter for free. Tickets can be purchased at Eventpop.
BKKIF 2024 is supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and major partners including Central THAM, centralwOrld, ThaiBev, S&P, and Eventpop. For more updates, follow BKKIF on its official channels:
Website: bangkokillustrationfair.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bkkif
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bkkif_official
X (Twitter): twitter.com/BKKIF_OFFICIAL
