Singapore Art Book Fair 2017
It has been some time since I last wrote. The first half of 2017 was a fun, exciting and busy half for me. How is your 2017 going so far?
Between April 27 - 30th 2017, I was very priviledged to be able to take part in my first ever book fair, The Singapore Art Book Fair which was organized by the team at BooksActually - Singapore's little boutique bookstore.
Fairs have always been something daunting because I didn't have confidence on what I could actually sell, and if the public would take fancy on what I do and a whole load of excuses on self doubt and social timidity.
So here's an account of my 3 days of talking and meeting with many people of all walks of life, and lessons learnt that might serve as tips for those who are thinking of participating in their first art book fair.
2017's Singapore Art Book Fair was held at Gillman Barracks, an old British colonial army camp that magically turned into artsy futzy art galleries and spaces where you just soak art up!
Didn't really know what to expect and so this was how my booth table looked like.
Lesson learnt: Bring handy book stands and little paper standee-trays so it doesn't look like a massive flat-lay!
My booth also had a window which doubles up as a wall to display work or just simply decorating it to reflect your style.
2 Lessons Learnt: ONE: bring little plants because they make bare desks and tables look "friendlier". TWO: don't try to sell too many a variety of items for a start, a good amount to look at would be 3 different items perhaps.
An illustrated set of 2 zines documenting Singapore's local food culture, An Anatomy Of Singapore's Hawker Fare - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, all wrapped up in brown paper that is used commonly at our hawker stalls wrapping chicken rice takeaways.
I had some purchases wrapped with pretty Pigeon and feather-friend wrappers.
I didn't expect the crowd coming, as well as people taking fancy on my work. I ran out of cards and had to make some out of extra scraps of Kraft paper I had on hand.
I was really lucky to sell out the illustrated set of 2 zines on the 2nd day of the fair, An Anatomy of Singapore's Hawker Fare - Breakfast lunch and dinner. Most of the patrons purchased it for their friends and families as souvenirs and memorabilias from Singapore. Check out the 1st reprint here!
Lesson learnt: Logistics is a monster but bring all you've got!
The crowd was a great mix of local and foreign creatives, parents and children, teachers and clients looking for collaborations and for an exchange of ideas at the Singapore Art Book Fair.
The creative loot and gifts I've got from friends and new friends I made at the fair. From top right clockwise: Sushi print from Chirashibomb, Damn Good Advice by George Lois from BooksActually, It is almost like a wonderland -Animals by Pearlyn Sim, Photo postcard set by Serendipity, awesome pen and pencil from the talented folks at Studio DAM, rubber stamp of me! from the lovely Mslatenightjam, Design Anthology magazine on Asian architecture, A3 Print by KAKO, and last but not least, a local publication - STAPLE magazine.
Left clockwise: An Anatomy Of Singapore's Hawker Fare, Hungry Melbourne - the map without the crap, feather friends wrappers.
You can find most of the items in limited small-lot quantities at Pigeon's Shop now.
I hope to be part of the Singapore Art Book Fair next year again and be more prepared with even better work.
To the team at SABF 2017 and fellow exhibitors, great getting to know and meet you and thank you for making this fair an awesome one!