THAILAND’S BEST CELEBRATION OF COMICS ART
A SHOWCASE OF ART BY THAI & INTERNATIONAL COMICS CREATORS
WITH PANELS, WORKSHOPS, SIGNINGS & THE ARTIST MARKETPLACE
Thailand’s only art-forward celebration of the incredible visuals that power comics, The BKK Comics Art Festival, will once again bring its unique blend of exhibition and convention activities to the heart of Bangkok. Held annually since 2022 at the venerable Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), the BKK Comics Art Festival showcases stunning examples of classic and contemporary comics art and brings together comics creators and enthusiasts from around the world. An exciting destination for comics fans and art lovers in general, the festival is organized by bkk UNZINE in partnership with Children of the Forest (CoF) Foundation.
The BKK Comics Art Festival gives prominence to the art side of the comics industry, as opposed to the focus on merchandising and IP of more commercial comic conventions. The gallery setting of the BACC affords the opportunity to adequately show off what comics have to offer, and this year’s theme of “Storytelling” offers a look at comics as a unique marriage of visuals and narrative. The curation will showcase how local and international comics artists weave narrative through their pictures to tell stories, with or without words, and demonstrating what makes comics art so special.
With “Storytelling,” this year’s curation will showcase how comics artists weave narrative through their pictures to tell stories, with or without words, demonstrating what makes comics art so special.
The festival kicks off with a gallery exhibit on the 5th floor hall of the BACC, opening on Tuesday the 14th of October, that will lead into a weekend convention featuring presentations, panels, workshops and other fun activities for all ages during the weekend of the 25th and 26th of October. Along with panels featuring comics creators from Thailand, audiences will also be treated to many perspectives into the world of comics abroad. This year’s convention features special guest mangaka Eldo Yoshimizu, author of Ryuko and Hen Kai Pan, whose attendance is made possible by a grant from The Japan Foundation and who will share insights into the rich Japanese storytelling of manga and the processes behind his own thrilling creations during a panel interview as well as in a more intimate demonstration and discussion session.
The BKK Comics Art Festival also continues its collaboration for a fourth year with the Embassy of Belgium to represent Franco-Belgian comics (or “Bandes Dessinées”) by showcasing in the exhibition pieces highlighting the relationship between the script and how it is illustrated by the artist on the page. The selected stories are written by French writer, film director and graphic novelist Loo Hui Phang, published by renowned Belgian publisher Casterman, and comics illustrated by Belgian artist Cédric Manche. The aim is to show the possibilities of thematic storytelling, visual metaphors and a holistic approach in delivering human stories.
Esteemed mangaka Eldo Yoshimizu, author of Ryuko, Gamma Draconis and Hen Kai Pan
In partnership with TAICCA (Taiwan Creative Content Agency), award-winning Taiwanese manga artist and author of The Funeral Concerto (International Manga award, 2020) Rimui Yumin also joins the festival to share her journey as a comics creator, her storytelling process as well as her influences. AMICO (by Nanmeebooks), publisher of the Thai language version of The Funeral Concerto, will have a booth during the convention and Ms. Yumin will be available for book signings.
For aspiring manga artists, sponsor Clip Studio Paint presents a special workshop by acclaimed Thai artist Adisak “Das” Pongsampan, author of the multiple award-winning Before Becoming the Buddha (including the Bronze Award at the 17th Japan International MANGA Awards in 2023) on using Clip Studio Paint’s versatile tools for comics creation, as well as opportunities for festival participants to win prizes such as valuable licenses.
Award-winning Taiwanese artist Rimui Yumin, author of The Funeral Concerto
Artwork by Adisak “Das” Pongsampan, author of Before Becoming the Buddha
bkk UNZINE is thrilled to announce Children of the Forest Foundation as our newest partner in bringing the BKK Comics Art Festival to life. A school and children’s home in Sangkhlaburi near the Thai-Myanmar border helping to improve the lives of stateless and migrant children and families, CoF’s initiatives on teaching children comic art makes them a perfect ongoing partner for bkk UNZINE in promoting comics and cultivating future creators. Incredible work by the young artists of CoF will be featured and available for auction at the convention.
Be sure to visit the 5th floor hall of the BACC beginning the 14th of October to see the spectacular work on display by modern comics creators, then on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of October come meet the artists and join in on the fun convention activities!
For a retrospective look at last year’s festival, please go here.
The BKK Comics Art Festival #4 is brought to you by:
