This year's Illustration Arts Festival (IAF) is held at a hall within the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC). The event was organised by the Organisation of Illustrators Council (OIC Singapore) together with and 32CM32CM.
Red Dot Diva arrived at the venue just past 1230 PM. Registration at the ground level was smooth and quick. It saves time if you have pre-registered and booked your slot via the Eventbrite website. By the way, there is also a food and drinks stall just beside the registration lines if you need some nourishment. You will not be able to access to the IAF market space via the elevators. Instead, you would need to ride several levels of external escalators to Level 7.
Once, she reached Level 7, Red Dot Diva welcomed the air-conditioning because she had endured a mostly an unshaded walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT station on such a hot, sultry day. The venue hall was very spacious. There was ample space for everyone to move around, which made browsing along the neat rows of artist booths (about 90 of them!) such a pleasant experience compared to other art fairs. An interested crowd was already gathering, with more people streaming in after lunch time.
Red Dot Diva observed that there were more young illustrators who were boothing this year. Some of their ideas and designs are interesting, but a number of them tend to be similar, and do not quite stand out amongst the crowd, especially those of the kawaii variety. Still, cuteness may be your jam, and such illustrations range from food related designs to adorable animals.
However, Red Dot Diva was more interested in those that have built a unique style of their own, and that was how the dark, gothic horror of freelance graphic designer Parin Cashmony's booth caught her eye. The macabre aesthetic of his wares was like a black, enveloping cocoon in the midst of all the cuteness. He was also selling demonic-fueled figurines that he designed and then, crafted them himself in limited quantities, using 3D printing.
Another interesting booth you have to visit is Vivian Lee's. In fact, you could smell it before you see it. Vivian is Malaysia's first Coffee Caricature Artist. Her drawings, using coffee beans as ink, are so intricate. She has a set of art prints and postcards of the Chinese zodiac coffee art available for sale, as well as an art book.
If you are looking for quirkier comics and graphic novels to read, head to local indie publisher Difference Engine's booth. The staff manning the booth are eager to give you an introduction of their publications, which range from fun, family friendly stories like Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma by Melanie Lee and Arif Rafhan, to more serious social issues like Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health by Wayne Rée and Nurjannah Suhaimi.
One of the best things of attending such art markets is connecting with friends and acquaintances. So, Red Dot Diva was happy to spend a few minutes catching up with artist friend Sarah Isabel Tan aka onibi_art. Sarah's character designs lean to the pop-culture but with a cheeky twist to them. She also loves monsters, and makes vinyl toys. Go check out her Smol Bear vinyls, as well as the Darumao.
Next to Sara's booth is self-taught illustrator Poon Yew Fai, the creator of wuxia book SHAOLIN AND YOU. The book has a unique Chinese scroll design and is full of beautiful rendered martial arts poses, like a training manual. The book costs SGD 36, but if you decide to get the tote bag, the bundle costs SGD 40. Red Dot Diva could not resist taking up on the bundle. The tote bag was so eye-catching, and was of a good quality too. Now, she can wander into the concrete jungle Jianghu, like an urban badass.
Besides artist booths, there were interesting talks and workshops held outside the market hall. Families with children can also have a smidgen of fun with ART-ZOO's giant inflatable cactus sofa placed at the concourse. There was even a corner where tattoo enthusiasts can observe tattooist Jasper Tan aka tiredbutwoke at work. IAF 2023 seems to have a range of activities covered for the casual art appreciators to the industry creatives, all held in a safe, comfortable environment.
While ambling around the showfloor, Red Dot Diva overhead a boyfriend telling his partner, “I'm a Science person, and this is like too much art for me.” Red Dot Diva found this comment rather strange because if you are a Science person, you would realise that there is artistry in nature and science. Does he know of the Fibonacci sequence? So, don't be put off if you think that you are a ‘science person’. Art is for everybody, and a good way to get started on appreciating art is taking that bold step into this year's IAF.
Don't miss the chance, the festival is still running for a second day on Sunday, 30 July.
ILLUSTRATION ARTS FESTIVAL 2023
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 1 Straits Boulevard, Level 7
Date: 29 and 30 July 2023 (Sat and Sun)
Time: 11 AM to 7 PM
Admission is FREE
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PREVIOUS ARTICLES ON IAF
The Inaugural Illustration Arts Fest Held on 28 to 30 October and 4 to 6 November, 2016
Illustration Arts Festival Returns On 12 & 13 August 2017 With A Bigger Artists Market
Illustration Arts Fest is BACK on 22 & 23 September, LASALLE McNally Campus
Illustration Arts Festival 2023 - Meet Local and Regional Artists At Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 29 and 30 July 2023
