SHANGHAI ILLUSTRATION & POP SHOW (SIPS) SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES ON 31 MAY AT SHANGHAI EXHIBITION CENTRE

The inaugural Shanghai Illustration & Pop Show (SIPS) drew to a successful close on May 31, 2026 at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. The three-day event brought together 158 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions, attracting 13,604 visitors. Alongside the exhibition, 10 Masterclasses, 6 Workshops and 230 One-on-one portfolio reviews were held. In collaboration with Jing’an GO, an integrated platform of culture-commerce-tourism-sports-exhibition in Shanghai, SIPS integrated artistic creation, commercial brands, cultural consumption, and urban life, vitality in the illustration industry and building a new ecosystem of cross-sector innovation.

Original artworks, original IPs and trendy derivatives drew intense attention on-site, with active negotiations on brand licensing, commercial cooperation and cross-over creation, fully demonstrating the core value and potential of illustration in the cultural and creative industries.

Three Main Sections Collaborate to Build a Full-Chain Illustration Industry Ecosystem

SIPS 2026 featured three main sections, Illustration as Art, Pop & Brand, and Illustrator Avenue,  connecting the entire chain of artistic creation, commercial cooperation and public experience.

In the Illustration as Art section, the SIPS Gallery presented works by six benchmark illustrators in China: A Geng, Gui Tuzi, Hei Mi, Shi Xiaojie, Tango and Xiong Liang. Their diverse and distinctive creative languages showcased the evolving landscape of contemporary illustration in China, moving toward a more complete system of artistic expression and collection. Gui Tuzi’s Chinese Zodiac series blended traditional Chinese folk art with painting, delivering vibrant visuals that embody ordinary people’s aspirations for a better life. Tango’s Chinese-style mirrored exhibition space, designed like a Chinese restaurant, infused traditional Chinese elements with humor and international appeal, earning acclaim from global visitors.

Gallery Nowhy from South Korea showcased artist SQles’s gentle, healing-style works and launched new art figurines, visualizing the deep integration of illustration, IP and trendy toys. ART2GETHER displayed collaborations between Rémy Martin, Starbucks and artists, attracting attention of many brands on-site. E Gallery presented the playful Rabbit Xiaorui figurine series, while ARTVERSE’s immersive art project The Light Exchange invited visitors to experience the diverse possibilities of illustration through light and shadow interactions. Art Lab, a UK-based illustration agency, presented works by leading international illustrators and facilitated industry connections for publishing, advertising and branding.

Artists’ booths such as Laowang1102, Zhang Lelu, Qian You, Sherry Bright and Vikki Zhang drew large crowds, reflecting young people’s enthusiasm for trendy visual culture. Chinese artist Stone commented: “The inaugural SIPS is truly professional. The experience is excellent, allowing immersive exchanges and networking. Notably, the fair features no AI-generated works - only sincere creative dialogue, with warm and attentive organisers.”

In the Pop & Brand section, global and Chinese domestic brands delivered innovative showcases. MINI brought a convertible car to the hall and partnered with illustrator Pinko Summer to create a refreshing green space; the benedict yellow MINI Cabrio became a popular photo spot with the theme Always Open.

French brand VILEBREQUIN has unveiled its premier exhibition at the prestigious Shanghai Exhibition Center following its debut at Art Paris. Featuring a dreamlike, fish-inspired installation, the exhibition transforms the space into an immersive underwater world. Inspired by the essence of La Plage, the visually captivating vacation-themed experience has drawn significant attention from local audiences, attracting large crowds and generating considerable buzz since opening.

Gao Feng, General Manager of VILEBREQUIN Asia Pacific, stated: “Our collaboration with renowned French contemporary artist Fabrice Hyber has received an incredibly enthusiastic response here. We extend our gratitude to the organizers for providing a platform that beautifully showcases VILEBREQUIN’s core commitments to craftsmanship, design, and environmental sustainability. Looking ahead, VILEBREQUIN aims to deepen these local roots, charting a course for future co-creation and cultural synthesis.”

Young trendy culture brands – including original jewelry brand REEERO, fashion label GOST founded by Chinese rapper Lil Ghost Wang Linkai, and BIRD’S FRIENDS by Chinese singer Zhang Yuan – presented avant-garde or healing interactive spaces.

Illustrators Avenue gathered more than 60 young illustrators and original IP creators, displaying original works, art derivatives and lifestyle goods. It served as an efficient platform connecting emerging creators with the market, with robust on-site transactions and commercial matching. Singaporean illustrator JAYNE ONG said: “This is my first illustration exhibition in Shanghai. I brought Singapore’s iconic Little Lion and enjoyed meeting artists of diverse styles, it was fascinating.”

Featured Exhibitions and Professional Events Drive Long-Term Industry Development

Four international illustration exhibitions at the entrance hall deserved close attention: Cover Stories: BCBF Illustrators Annual (1991 – 2026) featured 35 years of masterpieces; Pinocchio’s New Clothes reinterpreted the classic character by 27 global artists; 10 Visions: The Open Visual Identity of Bologna Children’s Book Fair (2017-2026) traced a decade of illustration narrative; The Illustration Art of Van Orton Design showcased cutting-edge contemporary illustration style. A Co-Creation Wall with in the exhibition area attracted numerous artists and illustration enthusiasts to contribute their strokes, continuously “adding colour” to Shanghai’s skyline and becoming one of the fair’s scenic highlights.

Over three days, the Illustrator Survival Corner hosted 10 Masterclasses, 6 Workshops and 230 One-on-one portfolio reviews. Topics covered career development, IP operation, brand collaboration, global market trends and commercial creation, empowering illustrators’ professional growth.

Contemporary Chinese artist Gong Xu noted: “Discussions with industry peers were highly insightful and practical, far beyond generic talks.” Malaysian artist Laowang1102 said: “The sharing sessions offer a great platform to connect with young artists.”

Workshops led by Gui Tuzi, Xiong Liang and South Korean illustrator Bumi Cha led practical sessions on “Wander East & West· Translating from Sketch to Creation”, “The Potential to Publish a Distinctive Work”, and “Deconstructing Forms: The Art of Modular Portraiture”, engaging 120 young creators in learning and interaction.

One-on-one portfolio reviews received positive feedback from brands and creative enterprises such as M&G Culture and SHANLE LAB, while creators also gained numerous commercial opportunities. Illustrator ZHOU said: “SIPS is a sincere, professional and aesthetic platform that elevates illustrators from ‘stall holders’ to respected creators. Recognition from brands, curators and peers confirms that gentle art could also have commercial strength.”

From Venue to City: New Integration of Culture, Commerce, Tourism, Sports and Exhibition

SIPS partnered with Jing’an GO and No.88 Tongren Road to leverage “ticket economy”. Visitors uploaded SIPS tickets on Jing’an GO mini-program on WeChat for lucky draws and exclusive discounts at over 100 merchants and cultural venues across Jing’an District, maximizing the effect of the city’s cultural platform.

Bringing Together Global Industry Forces to Build the Future of Illustration

As a new international professional illustration fair in Shanghai, the inaugural SIPS established a one-stop global platform for artistic creation, commercial branding, cultural institutions and public consumption. It promoted creative collisions and cooperation, exploring illustration’s prospects in art collection, brand co-creation, IP development and lifestyle.

Moving forward, SIPS will continue expanding the integration of illustration with art, commerce and urban culture, stimulating creativity, facilitating partnerships and building an open, diverse and sustainable global illustration ecosystem. The fair will contribute new creative momentum to Shanghai’s development as an international cultural metropolis.

We look forward to meeting again in Shanghai in 2027 and shaping a bright future for global creativity and illustration art ecosystem together.

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