Its 6th year running, the Singapore Art Book Fair has well established itself as one of the leading art book fairs in Asia.

While the fair continues to grow in exhibitors and audience, it remains committed to building an environment of support for artists, small and/or independent presses, and publishers working in the medium.

The Singapore Art Book Fair serves to capture the energy and vision of artists, and believes in evolving and presenting the diversity of our community, as well as exposing the audience to new and innovative publishing practices.

The 2019 SGABF was held from 28 — 30 June at NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore.

Singapore Art Book Fair 2019 (Photo Credit: Clarence Aw)

PUBLISHED!

Organised by NTU CCA Singapore, the programme for Singapore Art Book Fair 2019 explores the medium of publishing as a research space. It brings together local, regional, and international publishers, writers, artists, and scholars who deal with what it means to publish about art as a knowledge-producing format and engage with its various discourses.

On Publishing

Panel

10:30am — 12:00pm

Speakers:

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• Shauba Chang [TW], Founder and Chief Editor, Waterfall
  

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• Victoria Hindley [US], Acquisitions Editor in Design and Visual Culture, The MIT Press
  

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• Trasvin Jittidecharak [TH], Founder Silkworm Books and Mekong Press
  

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• Li Qi [CN], Editor-in-Chief of LEAP, and Deputy Editor of The Art Newspaper China
  

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• Mathieu Renard [FR], Lendroit éditions

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  Moderated by Ute Meta Bauer [DE/SG], Founding Director, NTU CCA Singapore and Professor, NTU School of Art, Design and Media
  

The conversation will revolve around the role of publishing art writing and cultural histories, with representatives from both established and relatively young imprints questioning the role institutions play in creating a discursive space for writing art histories.

On Critical Writing

Panel

2:00 — 3:30pm

Speakers:

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• H. G. Masters [US/HK], Deputy Editor and Deputy Publisher, ArtAsiaPacific
  

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• Carlos Quijon, Jr [PH], writer, curator
  

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• Ema Tavola [FJ/NZ], artist-curator
  

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  Moderated by Qinyi Lim [SG], Curator, National Gallery Singapore
  

This discussion will focus on the contemporary landscape of critical writing. How do writers, scholars, and artists understand, define, and practise critical writing? It will examine why such writing is needed and what influence and role it plays not only within the art scene, but also within a broader discourse.

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On Publishing Series

Panel

4:00 — 5:30pm

Speakers:

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• Dr Ana Bilbao [MX/UK], Editor, Afterall
  

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• Helen Hughes [AU], Co-founder and Co-editor, Discipline
  

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• Verónica Sanchis Becomo [VZ/HK], Editor, Writer, and Founder of Foto Féminas
  

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• Peera Songkünnatham [TH], Aan Journal

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• Moderated by Mark Rappolt [UK], Editor-in-Chief, Art Review & Art Review Asia

Questions around current developments and discourses (or their lack of) will be the focus of this session. What affects and steers the critical reader/magazine landscape in the wider Asia-Pacific region and beyond?

Improvised Ambient Set
by Kin Leonn [SG/UK]

 
7:30 — 8:00pm

Organiser:
KITCHEN. LABEL [SG/JP]

Utilising a palette of reverb-drenched guitar, synthesiser harmonies, and a system of MIDI-driven software triggers, Kin Leonn will construct a temporary world of immersive atmospheres using instinct and emotional response to sonic occurrence.

The Official SG Art Book Fair Afterparty

8:30pm — Late

Organiser:
Facebook Art Department [SG]


Line Up:
Itch
DJ Reiki
DJ Sadat

We are throwing a party for exhibitors and fairgoers! Enjoy some of Singapore’s underground music brought to you by local collective Good Times. Held on the second night of SGABF2019, there will be booze and food for sale accompanied by a line-up of underground DJs such as Itch, Reiki and Sadat with sounds that travel from jazz, city pop, 60s/70s garage, reggae, breaks to arabic funk and afropop.

Facebook Artist in Residence Program: Open Form

Panel

12:30 — 1:30pm

Speakers:

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• Jessica Shaefer [US], Art Programs & Partnerships Lead, Facebook
  

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• Pey Chuan Tan [SG], Art Curator & Producer, Facebook

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• Genevieve Chua [SG], artist
  

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• Speak Cryptic [SG], artist
  

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• Moderated by Melanie Pocock [UK/SG], Writer, Curator and Assistant Curator, Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore, LASALLE College of the Arts

This panel discussion invites members of the FB Art Department to speak on the collaborative decisions that put together Open Form, a publication which celebrates the Facebook Artist in Residence (AIR) programme’s recent five-year anniversary. Open Form traces the development of the AIR programme's from its roots in the counterculture of San Francisco Bay Area, to its integration within the company’s hacker culture. Featuring over 200 art commissions worldwide, the book serves to replicate immersive artistic experiences through the medium of the analog book. Local AIR artists will also be present to share their views on creating analog art in a digital world, and how the AIR experience has influenced their practice.

Seenthesis: Visual Literacy through Singapore Photography

In Conversation

2:00 — 3:00pm

Speakers:

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• Ang Song Nian [SG], artist, Lecturer, NTU School of Art, Design and Media
  

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• Guo Yixiu [SG], artist, educator
  

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• Moderated by Gwen Lee [SG], co-founder and Director, DECK

This conversation is an attempt to put together a resource book for school educators on creating engaging classroom art activities. Across 168 pages, with over 100 works by 28 photo artists, the book provides a basic fundamental overview of the medium and the social history of photography in Singapore. The launch presentation will share the concept and process in developing content to complement the school arts curriculum, and how Seenthesis ultimately hopes to enable visual literacy among youths through photography from Singapore. 

The City as…The City for…

Panel

3:30 — 5:00pm

Speakers:

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• Ute Meta Bauer [DE/SG], Founding Director, NTU CCA Singapore and Professor, NTU School of Art, Design and Media
  

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• Calvin Chua [SG], Adjunct Assistant Professor, Architecture and Sustainable Design at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
  

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• Woon Tien Wei [SG], artist/ curator.
  

The critical spatial discussions of this panel advances from an understanding of the built environments from regional perspectives and practices, that are situated within global discourse, focusing on regional bottom-up city planning that is informed by postcolonial heritages, tropical modernities, and global architectural approaches. Reflecting also the cultural formats of how we can engage in such questions, the discussion will offer a rich source of artistic/activist interventions and their imaginary of “art on a civic scale.” 

Residences OPEN

2:00 — 7:00pm

Blocks 37 and 38 Malan Road, Gillman Barracks

Featuring Artists-in-Residence:

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• Ang Song Nian [SG]

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• Tanatchai Bandasak [TH]

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• Wei Leng Tay [SG]

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• Iris Touliatou [GR]

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• Munem Wasif [BD]

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• Zarina Muhammad [SG]

Residencies OPEN provides a rare insight into the often introverted sphere of artist studios by profiling the diversity of contemporary art practices from around the globe and the divergent ways artists conceive an artwork with the studio as a space for experimentation and research.

The Singapore Art Book Fair (SGABF) is an annual event that champions both local and international art and print material. It is a platform for artists, publishers, and zine-makers to meet and interact with like-minded individuals as well as introduce their works to a new and interested audience every time.

SGABF2018 was held at NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore in Gillman Barracks. For the first time in five years, the fair is independently organised and funded. This year hosted a total of 67 Exhibitors, making it the largest edition yet, 21 of whom are international from countries like China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the UK. SGABF2018 also featured a Zine Room and Zine Library curated by Squelch Zines, a community platform that has been supporting local zine-makers. In 2018, the fair saw more than 4,500 visitors over one weekend.

#SGABF2018

Singapore Art Book Fair 2018

The Zine Room was conceived by SQUELCH ZINES — a collective that aims to bring zine-makers into a space where they can buy, swap and inspire each other to broaden Singapore's zine culture.

The Zine Room focuses on the local scene through 2 avenues: a spotlight for local exhibitors, and a Zine Library documenting submissions from local and international zinesters.

PUBLISHING AS DISCOURSE was the title of the programme for Singapore Art Book Fair 2018, curated by NTU CCA Singapore, that explored the media of publishing as a discursive space. 

This series of conversations, presentations, and workshops brought together international publishers, writers and scholars, curators and artists who adopt the field of publishing as a critical form to engage with the arts.

Singapore Art Book Fair 2018 was held in The Exhibition Hall, Block 43 Malan Road, Gillman Barracks, and all public programmes took place in The Single Screen, Block 43 Malan Road.

PUBLISHING INDEPENDENTLY

Sunday, July 1, 2018
5:30 PM — 7:00 PM

Speakers:

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• Ringo Bunoan (Philippines), artist and Co-founder, Art Book Philippines

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• Savannah Gorton(Germany/Denmark), curator and Co-founder, Friends with Books

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• Beatrix Pang (Hong Kong), Founder, Small Tune Press

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• Moderated by Shubigi Rao (India/ Singapore), artist

What is the potential of self-initiated publications as a form of artistic collaboration? What are the benefits and pitfalls of self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and how does it contribute to the cultural field? This panel will explore recent developments in self-publishing and what necessitates these forms of independent production.

PUBLISHING ARTISTS’ BOOKS 

CASE STUDY PRESENTATIONS

Sunday, July 1, 2018
1:30 PM — 5:00 PM

Presenters:

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• 1.30 – 2.30pm: Ringo Bunoan (Philippines), artist and Co-founder, artbooks.ph

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• 2.45 – 3.45pm: Beatrix Pang (Hong Kong), Founder, Small Tune Press

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• 4.00 – 5.00pm: Savannah Gorton (Germany/Denmark), curator and Co-founder, Friends with Books

This event features case study presentations of artist-book projects selected by international and regional independent publishers. The speakers will introduce various collaborative projects between artists and publishers, providing insight into how artist books are conceptualised and how they develop into the final printed form.

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PUBLISHING GEOPOLITICS

Saturday, June 30, 2018
5:30 PM — 7:30 PM

Speakers:

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• Chong Ton Sin (Malaysia), Founder, Gerakbudaya and Executive Director, Strategic Information and Research Development Centre

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• Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez (Philippines), Editorial Board Member, Southeast of Now: Directions in Contemporary and Modern Art in Asia

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• Moderated by Peter Schoppert (Singapore), President, Singapore Book Publishers Association and Director, National University Singapore Press

This session centres on the scholarly periodical and the role it plays as a discursive space for writing art and cultural histories. Representatives from both established and young journals will come together to critically examine its geographical and conceptual markers.

PUBLISHING ARTISTS’ BOOKS

CASE STUDY PRESENTATIONS

Saturday, June 30, 2018
1:30 PM — 5:00 PM

Presenters:

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• 1.30 – 2.30pm: Christophe Boutin(France), Co-founder, onestar press and Three Star Books

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• 2.45 – 3.45pm: Shyue Woon(Singapore), artist and architect

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• 4.00 – 5.00pm: Wei Guan (China), Co-founder, Bananafish Books and Art Director, Shanghai Art Book Fair

This event features case study presentations of artist-book projects selected by international and regional independent publishers. The speakers will introduce various collaborative projects between artists and publishers, providing insight into how artist books are conceptualised and how they develop into the final printed form.

PUBLISHING COMPLEXES

Friday, June 29, 2018
6:00 PM — 7:30 PM

Speakers:

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• Kaye Cain-Nielsen (United States), Editor-in-Chief, e-flux journal

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• Chloe Chu (Hong Kong), Associate Editor, ArtAsiaPacific;

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• Robin Peckham (United States/China), Editor-in-Chief, LEAP magazine;
  

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• Mark Rappolt (United Kingdom), Editor-in-Chief, ArtReview and ArtReview Asia
  

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• Amy Sherlock (United Kingdom), Deputy Editor, frieze magazine

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• Moderated by Shabbir Hussain Mustafa, Senior Curator, National Gallery Singapore

This session discusses some of the strategies art magazine publishers adopt to present a comprehensible outlook of current developments in contemporary art, as well as evaluates the magazine’s role in generating discourse in the arts. Magazine publishers have grown beyond producing conventional printed series to delving into, not only digital platforms, but also activities such as exhibition making, fair and festival initiatives, education programmes, and other forms of artistic production while maintaining their core business in publishing.

PUBLISHING ARTISTS’ BOOKS

ARTIST TRADE BOOK

Friday, June 29, 2018
4:00 PM — 5:00 PM

Speakers:

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• Broy Lim (Singapore), artist

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• Woong Soak Teng (Singapore), artist

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• Moderated by Gwen Lee (Singapore), Co-founder and Director, Singapore International Photography Festival and DECK gallery

In Spring 2017, eight Asian recipients of Steidl Book Award were invited to make their books in Göttingen, Germany. Among them were Singaporean artists Broy Lim and Woong Soak Teng. With each concept, the artists translated their ideas and work into a book form, crafting, refining stories and visuals into book objects. This conversation will share the process, challenges, and constraints the artists had in order to arrive at the book they called their own.