Bangkok Art Book Fair: A Creative Community of Art Publishing

The Bangkok Art Book Fair (BKKABF) presents Bangkok through a non-mainstream lens, championing art books as a medium of creative expression and fostering a publishing culture grounded in local contexts. Unlike conventional fairs that function as annual pilgrimages for publishers, BKKABF distinguishes itself through its independence and distinct character.

Studio 150, a Bangkok-based design studio, is a co-founder of BKKABF, working in strategic partnership with Bangkok CityCity Gallery to develop and promote the fair. The studio’s founders, Pat and Piyakorn—members of AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale) since 2019—view art publishing as more than a platform for designers and artists to showcase ideas. To them, it injects new perspectives into local book distribution and serves as a vehicle for refining the craft of print. Through BKKABF, a vibrant creative community has emerged, linking practitioners across disciplines.

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 word “dummy” refers to a rough, incomplete prototype of a book, while also playfully implying “fool.” Embracing this dual meaning, Fotobook DUMMIES Day promotes a new ethos—one that suggests perfection is not a prerequisite for completion. The duo conducts fieldwork across Southeast Asia to better 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 explore how art publishing can unite local cultural communities. They will share insights on how organising book fairs nurtures creative production, gradually shaping a market ecosystem for art publications. The discussion will also address the strategic role of graphic design within this evolving landscape.