South-east Asia's largest art book fair, the Singapore Art Book Fair (SGABF), returns from October 31 to November 2, 2025, with over 120 exhibitors—its largest edition yet. The fair moves to a larger venue at New Art Museum Singapore and Whitestone Gallery, with ticket prices unchanged from 2024 ($6 online, $8 on-site). About half the exhibitors are first-timers, including Saigon-based studio WEDOGOOD, Cairo-based Rizo Masr, and local participants like graphic design trio Hause, Con-Temporary Art Editions, and visual artists Chin Lew and Isabell Hansen. The pilot Thing Books Residency Programme presents three new artist books by musician Yuen Chee Wai, filmmaker Seth Cheong, and vocalist Nur Wahidah. Visitors can also register for bookmaking workshops at additional cost.
This matters because SGABF has grown significantly since its 2013 inception, attracting 4,500 visitors in 2024 and now expanding its space and exhibitor list, reflecting the rising global interest in art books and printed matter. The fair's focus on risograph prints, artist books, and hands-on workshops underscores a broader cultural shift toward materiality and tactile engagement in the visual arts. By bringing together local and international publishers, artists, and studios, SGABF strengthens Singapore's position as a regional hub for contemporary art publishing and independent print culture.