art by KOONG
bkk UNZINE art magazine aims to showcase the talents of artists and to bring creativity and community to audiences around the world.
Every month, a new curation from different notable artists is presented under a unique theme. bkk UNZINE is dedicated to promoting both established & up-and-coming talent. The following month’s theme is announced in each issue and we welcome all to submit artwork.
THE ROAD AHEAD
July already… and half of 2026 already put to bed.
ADD ABOUT KOONGS COMIC STRIP LEADING TO BCAF
It’s time to gear up for the next BKK Comics Art Festival, this year with not one but two convention weekends packed with creatives and fun activities! For this month, our featured artist is Gee.Illusions, who will be joining us at the festival along with the rest of the creative team behind Cyber Sheep Studios’ smash hit comic series Ronin of Okane. We’re cooking up quite a few surprises that we can’t wait to announce, so keep your eyes on bkkunzine.com… announcements are fast approaching.
We’re still hard at work repairing our video archive, so bear with us but in the meantime enjoy our interviews with Gee.Illusions as well as the submissions below for this month’s theme, “Vibrant.”
Sincere thanks to all who contributed.
As always, enjoy the issue!
Now TWO weekends!
booth & exhibition wall reservations now open
ACT NOW- LIMITED AVAILABILITY!
Next month’s theme is...
Accepting submissions NOW through 25 AUGUST
BLOOMING
by KOONG
digital painting
In the blink of an eye, it feels too long to endure but too short to understand.
artwork & description by:
KOONG
QUIET LABOR
by JHAMFONG
acrylic on canvas paper, painted without brushes using only a ruler
“Quiet Labor” is inspired by bees gathering pollen from yellow and purple lotus flowers. Their quiet work sustains nature and humanity, yet their contributions often go unnoticed. Created entirely with a ruler instead of a brush, the piece embraces limitation as part of its meaning. It reflects the belief that creativity does not require perfect tools or ideal conditions, only the willingness to begin. Like bees, whose purpose is fulfilled through steady, unseen effort, this work celebrates resilience, resourcefulness, and the quiet labor that shapes both art and life.
artwork & description by:
JHAMFONG
BANNER FROM THE HIMMAPAN
by WASAA STUDIO
digital artwork
Artwork from our comic project.
artwork & description by:
WASAA STUDIO
RAT RACE
by G3MSTRY3D
digital artwork
Work, death & taxes.
artwork & description by:
G3MSTRY3D
ATTRACTION
by TIMETHIUS J.
Afraid to move,
to stand out from the crowd.
Inside the desire screams out loud.
There is no escape...
What will people say?
Will their words be praise, or will
their jokes be based on lies crafted
by false perceptions
Preconceived notions,
labels we wear but cannot shake. The phrases
we think we cannot say, The first move never
made.
But if only we could move closer to
that special place...
photography, poetry
This artwork is an excerpt from a larger exhibition called “The Six Stages of Modern Connection.” The larger piece is a "visual poetic anthology"— a series of poems accompanying a visual medium to tell a complete narrative. Overall, the project captures the shared lineages between many queer Black and Asian men's early tribulations on the path of exploration (i.e. stages) and reimagines their experience in the dating scene. This brief poem and its accompanying photographs are called "Attraction” because this is the portion of our story that they narrate. Together, they illustrate a path that queer Asian and Black could in romantic/sexual contexts. I would invite everyone to ask themselves:
"What's keeping us from shedding these labels and from seeing each other as individuals, rather than sexualized stereotypes?"
artwork & description by:
TIMETHIUS J.
HIGH ON CONVERSATION
by SKETCHMAN BORIS
ink on paper
This is how it feels to have conversations with my friend Vidhvat. We elevate each other with ideas that form a common playground for our mental gymnastics. We get so immersed in our own ideas it feels like floating on a saucer.
artwork & description by:
SKETCHMAN BORIS
At bkk UNZINE, we are lovers of comics and every month we’ll be shining a spotlight on comics projects worthy of attention. Remember to check out our Comics Club every Sunday at UNZINE 95, hosted by bkk UNZINE founder Sketchman Boris, and have fun learning about different aspects of making comics!
bkk UNZINE is proud to continue showcasing artwork by the talented young artists from our partner organization the Children of the Forest, a foundation that envisions equal rights and opportunity for stateless children, providing them with education, protection, healthcare and community programs..
Last month, bkk UNZINE was proud to present “Run Away,” young artist Mongbajo’s autobiographical comic about his own experience as a victim of human trafficking, which was featured in the BKK Comics Art Festival exhibition last year. For this month’s Comics Corner, Children of the Forest art instructor Andrew Zeal, caught up with Mongbajo for the special interview below.
MONGBAJO
an interview with the artist
What made you interested in art?
I became interested in art when I was a child. I enjoyed drawing characters from cartoons and comics, and over time I wanted to create my own ideas.
What do you find fun about art, drawing, and comics?
I enjoy creating characters and imagining new worlds. It is exciting to turn simple ideas into pictures that tell a story.
How would you describe your own art?
I would describe my art as simple, expressive, and story-driven. I like artwork that focuses on emotions and characters.
What are your favorite things to draw?
I enjoy drawing people, animals, nature, and fantasy characters. I also like designing interesting scenes.
What is the best part about telling stories through comics?
The best part is being able to communicate emotions and ideas through both pictures and words. Comics make stories easy to understand and enjoyable to read.
What kinds of stories do you want to tell with your comics?
I want to tell stories about friendship, courage, personal growth, and overcoming challenges. I hope my stories encourage people to never give up.
What kind of stories do you like?
I am most interested in stories about war and its impact on ordinary people. I like stories about families who have lost their homes, their land, or loved ones because of conflict. These stories show both the pain of war and the strength of people who continue to hope and rebuild their lives. I believe these stories help us understand history, develop empathy, and appreciate the importance of peace.
Do you think art is important?
Yes. Art is an important part of life because it helps people express emotions, communicate ideas, and connect with others across different cultures.
How do you hope to change the world with your work?
I hope my work encourages people to value peace and understand the true cost of war. Through my comics, I want to show how war and conflict affect ordinary people, especially children who lose their families, homes, education, and sense of safety. I hope these stories help readers see that behind every conflict are real people whose lives are changed forever. If my work can inspire even a few people to have more empathy, reject violence, and appreciate the importance of peace, then I will feel that I have made a meaningful difference.
bkk UNZINE is grateful for your continued readership and is extremely proud to share the artwork of our talented contributors with all of you, our valued art community.
Thank you for visiting us.
SHOW YOUR WORK IN bkk UNZINE!
next month’s theme is…
Accepting submissions NOW through 25 AUGUST 2026
