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The Bangkok Illustration Fair (BKKIF) is scheduled to take place from October 23 to 26 at CentralWorld Pulse, located on the 7th floor of CentralWorld. This year, BKKIF will present works from 201 artists. Out of these, 132 are from Thailand, and 68 come from 16 different countries such as Brunei, China, Greece, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Russia. In addition to these 200 artists, Claudia, a well-known artist who was chosen by audiences at BKKIF 2024, will also be part of the event.

At the BKKIF 2025 press event held at CentralWorld, Vip Buraphadeja, one of the fair’s co-founders, shared his enthusiasm upon learning from industry professionals that it is the biggest in Southeast Asia.

“Our objective was to develop a platform that unites artists from various generations, both experienced professionals and emerging talents. As we emphasize diversity, BKKIF welcomes all forms of artwork, such as hand-drawn pieces, digital art, collages, and cartoons. We have been exploring opportunities to extend the reach of artwork across multiple platforms. Therefore, we have invited different organizations, including art galleries, publications, cafes, and airlines, referred to as ‘reviewers,’ to participate in BKKIF. We aim to establish a community and an ecosystem where artists can engage,” stated Vip.

When questioned about the sentiments of the BKKIF founders regarding establishing the biggest illustration fair in Southeast Asia, Chonticha Homklinkaew mentioned that their emphasis is on quality over quantity.

“BKKIF emphasizes the quality of work. Each artist chosen to display their talent will have chances to secure projects. Reviewers and sponsors attend BKKIF and pick artists they wish to collaborate with. This community will grow and establish strong connections,” said Chonticha.

Vip stated: “I concur with Chonticha. Organizing the biggest event isn’t particularly challenging as we can sell more booths, but that’s not our main focus. What we are confident about is having a community where artists are chosen and critics are invited to evaluate the artwork. This is how we establish a substantial ecosystem that we can be proud of.”

International artists have shown interest in BKKIF since its inception in 2001, with the number of online submissions for selection continuing to rise.

“It’s wonderful to witness art from numerous countries at BKKIF, as artists and attendees can explore a broad spectrum and gain insight into the unique styles of each nation. It fosters a sharing of experiences and concepts,” mentioned Vip.

Oomthong Yamsadtham and Punika Areekanchanlert, two emerging artists, discussed their initial experience at BKKIF 2024. The pair admitted they lacked confidence in their individual pieces, leading them to set up a shared booth showcasing both their solo and joint illustrations.

Following the event, they were interviewed by a publication that resulted in opportunities, including creating books and posters. They showcased their work at Bangkok Design Week and recently organized the two-person exhibition “Lost In Calendar” at Somewhere on Pradiphat 17.

“Before BKKIF 2024, not many individuals focused on our social media updates. BKKIF serves as a channel that allows us to gain visibility among the general audience. We have attracted more followers and received greater recognition for our efforts, which has helped us realize our capabilities and determine how far we can progress,” stated Punika.

Besides artists, critics have a significant role at BKKIF as they offer chances for artists. Toby Lu, director of sales and marketing at River City Bangkok, and Jakkrit Yompayorm, founder of Avocado Books, are examples of BKKIF reviewers.

Lu stated that River City Bangkok has been involved in BKKIF since its inaugural year in 2001, having allocated approximately 10 million baht to assist artists. Selected artists are given the chance to organize individual exhibitions at River City Bangkok.

Jakkrit mentioned that he had been to BKKIF prior to his role as a reviewer. His purpose was to look for artists whose styles aligned with what Avocado Books intended to introduce.

“After becoming a BKKIF reviewer, Avocado Books committed to selecting two artists to design our book covers, but I usually prefer working with more than two. This year, Avocado Books has collaborated with over five artists for book covers and illustrations,” said Jakkrit.

Another key feature of BKKIF is the selection of guest performers. To promote variety, it should feature both individual and group acts, as well as local and global talents, spanning ages from five to over 40. The six guest artists this year are Noma, Panatthorn “Skill” Fakthong, Pol Huiprasert, Urban Sketchers Thailand, Whosming, and The Duang.

Noma is a renowned Korean artist. Her artwork frequently showcases young individuals and animals within a captivating combination of light and darkness. She incorporates either natural environments or cityscapes, adding a touch of fantasy to them. Her pieces express the feelings of people in this time, which can be melancholic, yet often contain a glimmer of hope and the happiness found in everyday life.

A five-year-old named Panatthorn cannot read. His artwork emerges effortlessly without any guidance. He has created more than 100 illustrations, conveying stories through pictures and text. Panatthorn was found by Makut Ornrudee, an editor at Butterfly Publishing. This year, Panatthorn organized two individual art shows at GalileOasis in January and Tang Seng Jua Saen Phuda in June.

Pol is well-known for his work in music industry production design. He delivers remarkable experiences for concert attendees by aiming to genuinely showcase the artist’s identity and musical style. He and his team have worked with numerous top Thai artists such as Bodyslam, Nont Tanont, The Toys, and 4Eve. Pol will provide a distinctive and non-traditional experience for the audience at BKKIF 2025.

Urban Sketchers Thailand is a collective of art lovers, regardless of age or proficiency. The group captures the scenery and buildings of different places across Bangkok and other regions. As a community with diverse abilities, they promote an environment for exchanging knowledge and experiences. Drawing activities in historic towns also help spread awareness about preserving architectural heritage.

Whosming is an artist based in Taipei, known for incorporating themes of travel and coffee into his creations. A dedicated coffee enthusiast, Whosming started sketching baristas on paper coffee cups while exploring Portland, USA. This collection became a popular feature on Instagram with the hashtag #mingscups, receiving significant attention. Moreover, Whosming’s album cover design was recognized with a nomination for Best Recording Package at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

Veerachai Duangpla, also recognized as The Duang, is a Thai comic artist who has built a career spanning more than two decades. He is celebrated for his sleek illustrations, clever characters, and compelling narratives. Among his significant achievements is the development of gangster-themed characters for NFTs, which resulted in the Gangster All Star series.

BKKIF has transformed the lives of numerous budding artists, yet Vip and Chonticha remain modest and do not claim responsibility for this. They simply arrange the event, which connects critics with artists, but they feel honored to see the achievements of the creative individuals.

“It was really impressive to witness artists who sell their pieces at a booth during BKKIF. Afterward, they became stars and their work is now seen everywhere,” said Chonticha.

“I feel proud to witness their growth. Certain artists now have individual exhibitions, while others are engaged in major projects. Some of them have developed in ways we couldn’t have anticipated. I am truly proud and happy to see this,” said Vip.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).