At KL Art Book Fair 2025, digital collective Filamen is presenting 'IMMERSIOx', an immersive digital art experience. Photo: The Star/Daryl Goh
A gloomy day didn’t dampen the capital city’s creative appetite, as the Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair (KLABF) 2025 opened yesterday (Nov 28) to a lively crowd at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) in Jalan Maharajalela.
With heavy foot traffic expected, KLABF continues today and tomorrow (noon–8pm), offering visitors ample time to browse, shop, join talks, and meet creators.
One major highlight is the graphic design exhibition by the 2025 JAGDA New Designer Award recipients from Japan, featuring a selection of their award-winning works. Photo: The Star/Low Boon Tat
Now in its fifth edition, the social media-savvy fair brings together more than 125 exhibitors from over 20 countries.
Publishers, artists, designers, collectives, and printmakers from Japan, Thailand, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, China, and beyond have set up booths across the venue.
The result is a colourful and youthful showcase of art books, zines, limited-edition publications, handmade prints, and small-press gems.
A panel discussion at the fair, featuring ReformARTsi and PEN Malaysia, on the opening day (Nov 28). Photo: KL Art Book Fair
“This year, we are striving to welcome upwards of 6,000 attendees, while fostering a markedly more diverse and inclusive community of participants,” says Driv Loo, founder and creative director of KLABF.
There’s no shortage of highlights this year, from Jakarta-based indie publisher Bintang Press and Shanghai’s Fever Dog, the art brand by illustrator Polly Zheng, to Bangkok’s BlueBlurryMonday booth celebrating coloured pencil art, and Australia’s Slow Burn Books, showcasing art books from across Asia and its diaspora.
Munkao’s 'Kala Mandala' art book and adventure module series reinterprets fantasy, focusing on South-East Asia and moving away from traditional European influences. Photo: Munkao
Homegrown creators are well represented, including Minifanfan, Humana, Suburbia Projects, Silas Ooi, Slightly Fancy, Ajim Juxta, Engku Iman, CC Kua, Cloud Projects, Bang Bang Zine, Munkao, Meybees, Huruf, and more.
“As an exhibitor, the energy in the hall is contagious,” says artist CC Kua, who is presenting a series of limited edition zines and prints alongside graphic designer Hsin.
“It’s more than just showing your work – it’s a chance to see the ideas and experiments shaping the art book world right now, and to connect with the wider creative community in ways you don’t get elsewhere,” she adds.
A close-up view of CC Kua and Hsin's collaborative risograph art print project for KLABF 2025 titled 'Alphabet A To Z For Adulthood'. Photo: Handout
“In a Malaysian context, this fair has steadily opened doors for a wide range of creatives. With both homegrown and international work on display, there’s a genuine sense of community here – I feel welcomed and connected as a game designer,” says Munkao, artist and game designer.
Another highlight is the Emerging Perspectives exhibition on KLSCAH’s first floor, featuring a room of contemporary poster designs and more from the 2025 JAGDA New Designer Award recipients – Tetsuro Jozaki, Sarene Chan and Hirokazu Matsuda – from Japan.
Also on the first floor, digital collective Filamen transforms the Bao Song Meeting Room with "IMMERSIOx", an immersive art experience that invites visitors to step inside and interact with their digital worlds.
In its fifth edition, the fair features more than 125 exhibitors from over 20 countries, presenting a mix of art books, zines, limited editions, and handmade prints. Photo: The Star/Low Boon Tat
RJ Paper is presenting a pop-up library and showcasing an archival exhibition on printed matter, while Freedom Film Network, Karafuru Visuals, Rumah Kosong, and Borneo Komrad present a line-up of film screenings. Zontiga adds a Polaroid photobooth for visitors seeking a small keepsake from the weekend.
"In the spirit of celebration, we hope that our programme roster, including talks, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, special showcases, and more, will be a memorable festivity for all members of the public alike, and foster a dynamic and inclusive space for confluence, conversation, and collaboration," concludes a KLABF statement.
KLABF tickets grant full-day access to all programmes; children 12 and under enter free.
