Exhibitors showcasing at NTU CCA Singapore and 72-13
By Ho See Wah

Spines of Temporary Press titles. Image courtesy of Temporary Press.

After taking a hiatus in 2020, the Singapore Art Book Fair (SGABF) returns for its seventh edition from 5 to 7 March 2021. Becoming fully independent in 2018, the fair remains firm in its mission of exploring the possibilities of print as an artistic medium. Director Renée Ting says, “We are committed to growing the understanding of what an art book is and what it can be. It is a medium that can accommodate so many diverse approaches, and can actually be a core part of an artist or designer's practice.” Additionally, SGABF aspires to build an international community of like-minded people, and to provide a platform for the exhibitors to gather and present their publications to a wider public.

Taking pandemic constraints into its stride, the fair has innovated to overcome issues of social distancing and travel restrictions. A major departure from previous editions is the decision to hold it across two venues so as to allow for more visitors: its regular location at NTU Centre of Contemporary Art Singapore, with the addition of 72-13 at Mohamed Sultan Road. SGABF has also presented their exhibitors with the novel Adopt-an-Exhibitor option, where local exhibitors may choose to pair with an overseas partner and assist the latter in presenting their physical materials. This scheme, which proposes a reduced cost for both parties in setting up their booths, aligns with their vision to cultivate a community through mutual aid. Altogether, there will be 53 exhibitors, out of which 20 are international participants.

(Left to right) Book covers of 'The Direction I Rub One Matters' (2019) by Ian Tee, Moses Tan, Zarina Muhammad, Zulkhairi Zulkiflee, 'Boring Donkey Songs' (2017) by Lee Wen and '11 Years, 11 Interviews' (2019) by Jeremy Sharma, Lucy Davis, Kent Chan, Kenneth Tay, Tania De Rozario, Vanessa Ban, Kray Chen, Bruce Quek, Melissa Tan, Geraldine Kang, Godwin Koay and Song-Ming Ang. Image courtesy of Grey Projects.

Artist-run gallery Grey Projects is one of the returning exhibitors. The space performs many functions, from holding exhibitions and residencies to facilitating exchanges and producing publications. Founder Jason Wee says, “SGABF has always been a highlight of our programming calendar, and we love Renée’s vision for the development of the fair.” The independent space will be showcasing a wide selection of in-house publications, including ‘The Direction I Rub One Matters’ by Ian Tee, Moses Tan, Zarina Muhammad and Zulkhairi Zulkiflee, which explores the affective qualities of tactile sensations. There is also 'Boring Donkey Songs', a collection of writings by the late artist Lee Wen, which serves as an extension of his performance practice. They are also bringing in wares from Local Rebel Zine, and partnering with ‘the shop’ from Guangzhou through the Adopt-an-Exhibitor Scheme to present a series of artist books and publications like Cao Fei’s ‘Cao Fei: HX’. Wee remarks, “It is a precious opportunity to experience the world amidst a global pandemic.” In this manner, the fair is able to continually showcase an international display in spite of overseas exhibitors not being physically present.

Another returning exhibitor is Temporary Press, an independent press that produces and publishes content on research in art and design. Sharing the same sentiments as Wee, co-founder Jamie Yeo says, “For us, these international exhibitors contribute to the rich variety the fair offers.” They will be displaying both newly produced titles as well as older publications. Yeo explains, “Altogether, they offer a variety of perspectives and subject matter on things related to Singapore, yet loosely situated around art and design practices.” Temporary Press will be partnering with Seoul-based The Book Society, who is similarly focused on publications related to contemporary art and design.

No Context Zine by Ripe and Hause. Image courtesy of ripe.

Fairgoers can also expect many first-time exhibitors, such as Cat Hu, In Plain Words and ripe. The community platform ripe will be presenting a whole host of items beyond the printed, from zines to T-shirts and objects. Rather than heavily curating the selection of goods, these merchandise will touch on a wide range of themes and utilise a variety of mediums. “It is the first time we are embarking on a collaboration with such a diverse group of artists whose work will be available at the booth,” says Fern Teo, a representative from ripe. “We are excited to be cultivating a community.” And on taking up an overseas adoptee, Power Couple Press from Glasgow, Teo adds, “We think that it is great we have the opportunity to work closely with a like-minded collective.”

A page from a book that is a collection of hands taken from IKEA assembly manual. Image courtesy of Cat Hu.

There are also booths manned by artists who explore the medium of the art book in their practice. In the spirit of friendship, Hu will be presenting zines by fellow artist Nanjing-based painter Roxanne Tingyi Wang in addition to her own books. She says, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to show some of my own work in books as well as that of my peers.” This well encapsulates the collaborative spirit which the fair fosters within its independent publishing community.

OFFCUT products. Image courtesy of OFFCUT by Allegro Print.

An interesting addition to this year’s SGABF is OFFCUT by Allegro Print. This initiative by the print house puts sustainability at the core of what it does, and produces materials such as notebooks and bookmarks with discarded paper. An OFFCUT representative says, “By interacting directly with the public, we hope to inspire them to look at waste from a new perspective. With some imagination and creativity, you can breathe new life into it just as we have by repurposing waste paper into affordable and thoughtfully designed products, without compromising quality.” This is Allegro's first venture into creative goods, to complement their main printing business.

The fair has also introduced its inaugural ‘Art Books: A Beginner’s Guide’ video series in line with generating possibilities of publishing as a method and medium. Featuring ten episodes, this venture is in partnership with design studio Currency, and supported by National Arts Council. ‘Art Books’ aims to introduce publication as a format for artistic presentation and documentation. The informative videos feature guests such as artist Khairullah Rahim, artist and designer Vanessa Ban, and curators Selene Yap and Cheng Jia Yun. The videos explore a variety of subjects, such as the potential of art books as a unique art object as well as the value they can add to physical exhibitions. At the fair, visitors can look forward to the screening of the first five ‘Art Books’ episodes. There will also be the Queer Zine Room which uplifts LGBTQIA+ voices through going back to the zine's feminist, punk and activist roots, and the SG Art Book Library where a wide variety of art books with a focus on local sociopolitical issues will be free for browsing.

Singapore Art Book Fair 2019. Image courtesy of SGABF.

SGABF soldiers on with its steady belief in its mission of holding space for art books and its makers. With the support and faith from the community it has nurtured over the past years, this edition of the fair will no doubt further build its convivial and distinctive spirit.

Singapore Art Book Fair 2021 will take place from 5 to 7 March 2021, 12 to 8PM at NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore and 71-13. Click here to register.

Art & Market is proud to be the media partner of SGABF 2021. Do visit our booth at the fair, where we have a combined booth with adoptee Art Agenda S.E.A..

Click here to watch the first five episodes of ‘Art Book: A Beginner’s Guide’, or watch the first episode here: