SHANGHAI ILLUSTRATION & POP SHOW (SIPS) DEBUTS AT SHANGHAI EXHIBITION CENTRE IN MAY 2026

The inaugural Shanghai Illustration & Pop Show (SIPS) will take place from May 29 to 31, 2026 at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. SIPS is organised by BolognaFiere China Ltd. and Shanghai Xinhua Distribution Group Co., Ltd., guided by Shanghai United Media Group and supported by the Jing'an District Culture and Tourism Development Promotion Centre. It is presented in partnership with the Shanghai International Culture Association and the Italian Cultural Institute in Shanghai, with academic support from the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition and Mimaster Illustrazione (Milan, Italy). MINI serves as the principal sponsor.

SIPS originates from the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition—an event with nearly 60 years of history. It aims to create an international platform that gathers artistic expression, commercial collaboration and urban cultural consumption. As illustration continues to expand beyond publishing and graphic media, becoming a key visual language in pop culture, branding and lifestyle, SIPS explores how illustration integrates into contemporary art and creative industries.

SIPS brings together nearly 200 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions, including galleries and art institutions, lifestyle and pop brands, illustrators and art platforms, collectively shaping an ecosystem that connects artistic creation, brand collaboration and public cultural experiences.

Bringing Together Pop Culture, Crossover Brands, and Content Creators

SIPS emphasizes the independent value of illustration within contemporary art and lifestyle culture, as well as its diverse commercial possibilities. It is structured around three main sections: Illustration as Art, Pop & Brand and Illustrators Avenue.

Illustration as Art presents original artworks, limited-edition prints, collectible art, and artistic collaborations. ART COOOOL (China), Art Lab (UK), Golden Age Art Gallery (Australia), Gallery Nowhy (South Korea), A.R.T. INSTITUTION (China), and E Gallery (China) will present the fusion of illustration and contemporary culture. The curated SIPS Gallery will feature works by renowned artists including A Geng, Gui Tuzi, Hei Mi, Shi Xiaojie, Tango and Xiong Liang, whose practices span picture book publishing, visual art and contemporary illustration. Popular illustrators such as ANXIA, Stone, Laowang1102, LAN, Sherry Bright, TeaMe, Vikki Zhang, Zhang Lelu and ZHOU will also be showcased.

Pop & Brand places illustration within broader commercial and lifestyle contexts, exploring its crossover collaborations with fashion, automotive culture, pop toys, celebrity IPs, fragrances and lifestyle design. As a unique cultural symbol in the automotive industry, MINI collaborates with Shanghai-based illustrator Pinko Summer on the theme Always Open, expressing the unrestricted, bold, and playful personality and attitude embodied by MINI Cabrio, its convertible model. French resort wear brand VILEBREQUIN works with artist Fabrice Hyber to present a site-specific installation inspired by schools of swimming fish, while Zu&Pi and the classic IP Le Petit Prince unveil a special art collaboration. REEERO, a South Korean fashion accessory brand favored by celebrity stylists, appears alongside other international brands, showcasing the growing dialogue between brands, illustrations, and contemporary visual culture.

Chinese heritage brands such as Marie’s and Hero, Shanghai-based illustration and commercial visual brand LUSHANGHAI, and SATURNBIRD COFFEE also gather at SIPS. Art platforms like ART2GETHER and DRAGON HEART further build connections between artists and brands. Celebrity-led projects such as GOST, the fashion label founded by Lil Ghost Wang Linkai, and BIRD'S FRIENDS by Zhang Yuan will also be featured.

Illustrators Avenue connects emerging illustrators with strong creative identities and commercial potential, showcasing original works, creative merchandise, IP and its licensed products. It serves as a dynamic interface for publishers, brand managers, and creative agencies to engage with emerging talent.

A Rich Programme of Featured Exhibitions, Talks, and Business Matchmaking

SIPS features four international illustration exhibitions, tracing global style evolution over 30 years. Cover Stories: BCBF Illustrators Annual (1991 – 2026) presents a curated selection of annual covers created by world-leading illustrators over 35 years, weaving together a visual history of stylistic evolution across time. Pinocchio’s New Clothes brings together global artists to reimagine the classic character. 10 Visions: The Open Visual Identity of Bologna Children’s Book Fair (2017-2026) offers an in-depth review of ten years of visual identity designs for the Bologna Children's Book Fair. The Illustration Art of Van Orton Design showcases the avant-garde pop-culture style of the renowned duo.

The Illustrators Survival Corner jointly curated by SIPS, BolognaFiere and Mimaster Illustrazione (Milan, Italy), aims to empower the professional growth of illustrators through Masterclasses, Workshops, and One-on-one portfolio reviews.

The Masterclasses feature experts from the fields of illustration, branding, art licensing, and visual design. These sessions delve into topics such as career development for illustrators, IP commercialization, brand collaborations, and international market trends, fostering efficient connections between creative output and commercial demand. Distinguished guests—including contemporary artist Gong Xu, illustration artists Tian Dongming and Vikki Zhang, Gao Feng, General Manager of Asia-Pacific for VILEBREQUIN, Bud Zhan, Director of IP Development for Shanghai M&G Culture & Creative Co., Ltd, and Anna Kuvarzina (UK), Director of Art Lab Agency share insights from the perspectives of artistic creation, brand partnership, and international representation to explore the future of the illustration industry.

The Workshops focus on practical subjects such as commercial illustration workflows, brand visual construction and picture book creation. Led by artist Gui Tuzi, picture book author and artist Xiong Liang, and South Korean illustrator Bumi Cha, these sessions provide hands-on creative exchange to help young illustrators enhance their professional skills and commercial mindset.

One-on-one portfolio reviews, organised in partnership with Licensing Magazine, will build a precise and efficient bridge between illustrators and brands, publishers, creative agencies, and commercial partners, further driving the professional development of the illustration industry ecosystem.

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