A Growing Canvas for Local Creativity
This year marks the third edition of KL Illustration Fair (KLIF), and what a milestone it’s been. Unlike previous years, KLIF 2025 ran for four vibrant days—filled with art, conversations, and a growing sense of creative community. With over 180 artists—both local and international—participating across booth spaces and immersive art rooms, the event attracted an impressive 19,000 visitors, all gathered to celebrate and support Malaysia’s illustration scene.
What stood out this year was the fair’s minimalist visual direction—a smart and considerate shift from past editions. By toning down the overarching event branding, the organizers allowed the true stars—the artists—to shine. And it worked. Each booth and display held its own identity, forming a mosaic of visual voices, all unique yet harmoniously connected.
A Marketplace of Ideas and Innovation
Navigating the first two days felt a little chaotic—perhaps due to the new floor layout, which many returning visitors (ourselves included) needed time to adjust to. However, by Day 3, crowd control had visibly improved and the flow felt smooth and intuitive. Kudos to the organizing team for being quick to adapt.
As always, the diversity of work on display was inspiring. From postcards, giclée prints, and Riso posters, to zines, picture books, plush toys, tote bags, and even enamel pins, artists were stretching the boundaries of traditional illustration. Some booths even offered collaborations with other fields—illustrated cookies, firelighters, and hand-dyed goods—proof that creative expression doesn’t stop at paper.
What began as a simple illustration market has now grown into an immersive display of illustrated performance, where the act of exhibiting itself becomes an artwork.
A Community in Conversation
With a larger platform comes louder voices—and more perspectives. A lively online debate surfaced this year, touching on concerns about repetitive pet-themed merch, over-reliance on nostalgia, and a perceived lack of original local narratives.
We see these critiques not as complaints, but as signs of a maturing scene. Open conversations, even heated ones, indicate that people are paying attention—and that matters.
Here are a few thoughts we think are worth sharing:
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Be the change you want to see.
If you have a vision, share it. If you care, build with us. -
Popular work isn’t selling out—it’s a stepping stone.
Market-friendly themes like pets or local nostalgia don’t negate artistic value. They offer artists the financial stability needed to explore riskier, more experimental ideas down the line. -
Let artists define their own success.
Not every journey looks the same. A healthy creative ecosystem should support all kinds of artistic goals—whether they’re rooted in personal expression, community storytelling, or sustainable business.
At the end of the day, artists are doing their best to stay visible, sustainable, and inspired in an ever-changing world. And that deserves our full support.
Looking Ahead
We’re incredibly proud to have taken part in KLIF 2025. It wasn’t just a fair—it was a moment. A celebration. A growing body of shared culture.
To the organizers, artists, volunteers, and visitors: thank you for making this event what it was. Here's to more meaningful years ahead, and to a thriving, diverse, and resilient creative future.
