UNFOLD Shenzhen art book fair unfolds at SWCAC

The third annual UNFOLD Shenzhen Art and Design Book Fair was held at the Sea World Culture and Arts Center in Shekou from Aug. 6 to 9, transforming the waterfront cultural venue into a collaborative hub where art, design, independent publishing and cultural commerce intersect.

A banner outside the Sea World Culture and Arts Center in Shekou promotes the 2026 UNFOLD Shenzhen Art and Design Book Fair, which brought together independent publishers, designers and artists for a four-day showcase of book art and creative works. Photos courtesy of SWCAC

The event brought together approximately 160 exhibitors, connecting them with the public, brands, institutions, and potential partners through face-to-face encounters. The gathering served as a platform for the small-scale creators to enter the real market, gain visibility and secure support.

Under the theme, "A Testing Ground," the visual identity of this year’s festival, featuring a grid-based poster design, represents four distinct cultural experiments taking place across the exhibition floor.

The first experiment redefined the presentation of art. Moving away from traditional gallery walls, UNFOLD focuses on works that thrive on paper, within publications, at booths, and through direct interpersonal exchanges. By bringing images, materials and concepts into a more open and interactive space, the festival aims to present art in a more accessible and portable format.

Visitors explore artist publications, creative works and independent designs at the 2026 UNFOLD Shenzhen Art and Design Book Fair, where books become a medium for artistic expression, cultural exchange and everyday inspiration.

Design is a methodology for turning ideas into practice. From layout, spatial arrangement, and branding to tools, interaction, and systematic approaches, design is constantly being tested, utilized, and iterated throughout the festival.

At the heart of UNFOLD lies the book in all its forms, including art books, zines, photo books, and creative merchandise. Each publication and piece of merchandise brought by participating studios served as a pocket-sized exhibition that visitors browsed, collected, exchanged, and took home.

Established in 2017 by BANANAFISH, UNFOLD is a curated book fair and event platform dedicated to book art and works on paper. Originating in Shanghai, UNFOLD has expanded its footprint to Shenzhen, Tokyo, and Macao, building connections across Asia.

BANANAFISH, founded in Shanghai in 2009, is driven by the mission of integrating artistic creativity into daily life and making design education accessible to all. It serves as a practical space and exchange center that bridges aesthetic education and creative inspiration.