Bangkok Art Book Fair: A Creative Community of Art Publishing

June 15, 2022

The Bangkok Art Book Fair (BKKABF) represents Bangkok from a non-mainstream perspective, advocating for art books as a creative medium and promoting a publishing culture rooted in local contexts. Unlike traditional fairs that serve as annual pilgrimages for publishers, BKKABF stands out for its independence and distinct character.

Studio 150, a Bangkok-based design studio, is a co-founder of BKKABF, working strategically in collaboration with Bangkok CityCity Gallery to develop and promote the fair. The studio’s founders, Pat and Piyakorn, who became members of AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale) in 2019, see art publishing as more than just a platform for designers and artists to express their ideas. For them, it injects fresh perspectives into local book distribution channels and serves as a medium for honing the craftsmanship of printing. Through BKKABF, a substantial creative community has been forged, linking creators across diverse fields.

Fotobook DUMMIES Day, a self-publishing initiative founded by photographers Lin Jun-Yeh and Liu Chao-Tzu, explores the production and dissemination of photobooks. The term “dummy” refers to the rough and incomplete state of a book during the proofing stage, while also implying “fool.” Embracing this dual meaning, Fotobook DUMMIES Day highlights a new ethos, suggesting that perfection is not a prerequisite for completion. The duo conducts fieldwork across Southeast Asia to understand how independent publishing organisations operate and has been invited to participate in BKKABF.

In this talk, the founders of Studio 150 and Fotobook DUMMIES Day will use the Bangkok Art Book Fair as a case study to discuss how art publishing can unite local cultural communities. They will share insights into how hosting book fairs fosters creative output, gradually shaping a market ecosystem for art publications. The discussion will also delve into the strategic role of graphic design within this evolving landscape.

Planned and co-organized by pong ding︎︎︎.
Interpretation: Athena Chen.
Published: June 2, 2022. Last Updated: December 27, 2024.