KL Art Book Fair returns for its third edition with 112 exhibitors from over 13 countries at Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in December. Photo: KLABF
The Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair (KLABF) returns for its third edition next month, featuring a sizeable line-up of independent publishers, artists, rare art books, exclusive collectibles and programmes for art lovers to browse through.
KLABF 2023 will take place for the first time at the Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall from Dec 8-10. The last two editions were held at The Godown in KL.
The upcoming three-day fair (ticketed) will transform the bigger venue into a paradise for readers, designers and art lovers alike, showcasing 112 international and local exhibitors from over 13 countries.
This year’s KLABF will be its biggest and most ambitious edition to date, bringing together 52 international exhibitors hailing from China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, the Netherlands and the United States.
Artist Ajim Juxta, one of the exhibitors, is known for his creations that explore topics such as architecture, dystopia, and mythology. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan
"We are thrilled to announce an expanded line-up of artists, design collectives and self-publishing creatives all over the world, featuring an eclectic mix of printed matters that extend beyond the confines of conventional canvases. We have also broadened the spectrum of programmes at the art book fair, incorporating book launches, workshops and conferences led by international and local speakers," says Driv loo, the founder and creative director of KLABF.
"This edition of KLABF is a vibrant window, offering a peek into the rich diversity brought by each exhibitor from their respective countries. Our audience, in return, will have a unique opportunity to capture a snapshot of these unique cultural expressions within a single venue," he adds.
Being the first of its kind in Malaysia, KLABF offers a platform for creative practitioners and the self-publishing community to unite, collaborate and explore design printworks.
Visitors can look forward to a line-up, promising an array of visual feasts. Among the new additions are Ajim Juxta, an award-winning Malaysian visual artist and lyricist known for his creations exploring the topics of architecture, dystopia and mythology; and artist/designer Radio Woon, celebrated for his quirky character creations inspired by Malaysia’s multicultural context, that are set to be a highlight with his large eyes and weird-mouthed friends from the LALA Company.
Participants seen at a book binding workshop at last year's KLABF. This year's festival also presents a series of workshop sessions. Photo: KLABF
Also appearing at the fair is Grafis Nusantara, an Indonesian collective deeply committed to the preservation and reproduction of vintage label stickers across the archipelago, featuring some of the rarest collectibles within its digital archive; Singapore’s In Plain Words, an editorial studio that examines everyday life through food and design; and Sojanggak, a small publishing house from South Korea, specialising in crafting books that encapsulate the beauty of visual culture and narratives from South-East Asia.
You’ll also want to check out Enya Lim, the youngest exhibitor at KLABF 2023. The 10-year-old self-taught artist from Malaysia is known for her endearing doodles that adorn a variety of canvases, including red packets, tote bags and T-shirts.
In addition to an extensive range of art books, zines, magazines and limited-run prints, you can expect a series of book launches and talks, sharing sessions, hands-on workshops, exhibitions and more.
KLABF has also collaborated with Cahaya Create and G.F. Smith to curate an art installation that showcases a spectrum of multi-coloured paper clouds.
