The Singapore Art Book Fair is shrinking on purpose—and that’s exactly what makes its 14th edition so compelling. Dubbed SGABF2026: smaller edition, the fair runs from August 28 to 30 at T:>Works (72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road), featuring just 43 exhibitors, curated exhibitions, and hands-on programs centered on the theme of “scale.” Organizers have made one radical change: every exhibitor table will be fitted with wheels, allowing the floor plan to shift throughout the event.
What Is SGABF?
Founded by Thing Books, the Singapore Art Book Fair is an annual celebration of art books, artist publications, and zines that treats the book as a creative medium in its own right. This year’s edition was developed in collaboration with creative directors Atelier HOKO, marking a deliberate pivot toward intimacy. After hosting more than 150 exhibitors in previous years, the fair has downsized dramatically to prioritize meaningful connections between visitors, exhibitors, and the space itself.
What to Look For
The 43-exhibitor lineup blends newcomers with longtime participants, spotlighting independent publishers, artists, and collectives from Singapore and beyond—with a particular focus on Asia. Local participants include Thumb Books, In Plain Words, Street Report, and Your Local Newsstand. International names include Tokyo Art Book Fair, Bangkok Art Book Fair, Tara Books, Perimeter Editions, and Good Neighbour/Manifold Books.
Beyond browsing, the fair offers interactive programming:
- Goldilocks: Each of the 43 exhibitors created one page inspired by a line from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Visitors can pick individual pages for $1 each or collect all 43 and bring them to the Binding Station to assemble a complete book.
- Fold Fold Fold: An exhibition by The Other Workroom exploring folding as a conceptual starting point for bookmaking.
- Your Book: Zines created by visitors become part of an evolving exhibition.
- Radio Radio Radio: A live broadcast of conversations, interviews, and music recorded from the fair floor.
- The Walkers: Exhibitors roam the venue with mobile contraptions, continuing to show visitors their books as they move.
Tickets and Practical Details
Tickets cost $8 per person and are sold by timeslot. Online sales close on August 27 at 11:59 PM. Given the reduced venue capacity, on-site tickets are subject to availability and not guaranteed, so booking ahead is strongly recommended. Purchase tickets here.
The fair runs daily from 12 PM to 7 PM.
Why This Matters
By deliberately scaling down, SGABF challenges the convention that bigger is always better. The mobile tables and intimate layout encourage serendipitous encounters—exhibitors can literally roll toward visitors, and the floor plan evolves in real time. This experimental format positions the fair as more than a marketplace; it becomes a living, breathing exploration of how books and people interact.
For anyone passionate about independent publishing, artist books, or simply experiencing a fair that dares to rethink itself, SGABF2026 offers a rare chance to witness—and participate in—a creative community redefining its own boundaries.