The Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair (KLIF) returns for its fourth and most ambitious edition from 1–3 May 2026 at GMBB from 11 am to 8 pm. This year, KLIF solidifies its position as the region’s premier illustration fair, moving beyond mere decoration to celebrate the intellectual depth and visionary insight of the contemporary illustration industry.
Spanning three floors of GMBB and a special showcase at the A4A Art Gallery (Level 4), KLIF 2026 features a curated selection of over 200 illustrators, collectives, and commercial partners from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.
In a powerful foreword for this year’s edition, KLIF Founder Si Juan reflects on the journey from a personal dream to a regional movement. “A strong art community is not built by one voice, but by many who choose to believe, support, and grow together,” Si Juan notes.
What began as a social media call in 2022 led to the formation of a core team—Billie, Lai, Jang, and Shakir—who built the platform from the ground up. With the support of GMBB’s Ying Xian, the inaugural fair was held in 2023. Since its humble beginnings, KLIF has significantly expanded its impact, culminating in the historic formation of the Southeast Asia Illustration Council alongside partners from Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Brunei. Today, the fair stands as a testament to collective progress and a growing public appreciation for the profound value of illustration.
Reflecting on the fair’s evolution, their community partner GMBB noted that since its 2022 debut, KLIF has grown into a vital cultural incubator. “It’s become a showcase of what local illustrators can do,” the GMBB team shared. “We are pleased to see corporations and organizations attending the fair specifically to engage illustrators for professional commissions.”
International Highlights & Featured Illustrators
KLIF 2026 welcomes a diverse roster of international and local illustrators, including:
CLOAKWORK (Malaysia)
A Malaysian illustrator who developed a passion for drawing at a young age, CLOAKWORK’s journey began with graffiti in his local neighborhood before expanding into murals and public art. His signature style blends traditional painting with street art influences, utilizing vibrant colors, bold lines, and narrative-driven characters. Many of his works feature whimsical scenes and oversized objects designed to spark wonder. Globally recognized, he has installed murals worldwide and collaborated with major brands such as Nike, Levi’s, Uniqlo, Pepsi, and AirAsia.
Shu (Malaysia)
Shu (shuuhuahua) is a Penang-born, Petaling Jaya-based artist and designer whose work spans illustration, charcoal drawing, Risograph printing, and graphic design. She specializes in self-initiated publications that challenge standard formats, treating print as an active, structural object. In 2026, her zine glasses (2025) was featured in the Handmade Books Exhibition at Helsinki Central Library Oodi as part of the Helsinki Analog Festival.
Atelier Minori (Japan/Malaysia)
Atelier Minori is a creative duo consisting of Minori (illustration) and Hiro Takeoka (design). Drawing from their architectural backgrounds, they create works that explore urban landscapes and structural themes. At KLIF, they will present map-inspired works based on their roots in Kyoto, the host city of Kuala Lumpur, and various imagined urban environments. Their panoramic illustration of Kyoto invites viewers to “travel through maps,” offering an immersive journey through the city’s landscape.
Phil Huelz (Germany)
Based in Cologne, Phil Huelz works across analog and digital media, merging playful marker drawings and detailed stencil work with vibrant digital illustration. Born with a heart condition, Phil utilizes the heart as a recurring motif—a visual reminder of vulnerability, resilience, and human connection. His high-contrast compositions and expressive colors create a visual language that balances deep emotion with narrative play, bridging the gap between commercial and experimental art.
Pocky / glico (Thailand)
Yoottajak Tungklang (Pocky), also known as glico, is a Bangkok-based character designer and painter. Driven by a passion for the craft, he identifies the “EYE” as the most element in character design. This focus led to his signature character, “DIZZZZZY,” which represents the balance between imperfection and universal exploration. When not illustrating, Yoottajak runs ANTDAY CAFE, where he challenges himself by speed-drawing customers’ faces on paper cups in the DIZZZZZY style.
Located in the “Dark Room” (Level 6), this year’s headline exhibition, Light Up Malaysia, explores cultural identity through light. Featuring renowned illustrators such as Zeen Chin, Kenji Chai, Katun, and Danny One, the exhibition uses backlit presentations to reveal unseen narratives, capturing the raw, vibrant pulse of contemporary Malaysian culture.
The KLIF is also hosting key commercial partners Pos Malaysia, Mossery, Puzzle Planet, Kokuyo, Dasein Academy, Canon Malaysia, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (SCCP), and the New Taipei City Youth Department. The standard one-day pass costs only RM 20, while the full three-day pass costs RM 45.
