Shanghai, May 2026 – The inaugural Shanghai Illustration & Pop Show (SIPS) will run from 29 to 31 May 2026 at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. Organised by BolognaFiere China Ltd., the event is supported by the Shanghai International Culture Association and the Cultural Office of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, in academic partnership with the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition and Mimaster Illustrazione (Milan, Italy).
SIPS opens a new chapter in the global legacy of the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition – often called “the Oscars of the illustration world.” Since its founding in 1967, the Exhibition has championed international exchange and professional growth through juried selections, annual catalogues, and global touring shows. Now tailored for China, SIPS builds on this platform with over 300 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions – including brands, studios, and independent creators – showcasing a vibrant spectrum of illustration and pop culture.
As a professional exhibition centred on illustration, SIPS underscores the medium’s diverse commercial reach across pop culture and consumer markets. The show aims to bridge creative content with market demand, integrating industry resources and translating artistic value into sustainable outcomes.
Despite rapid growth, the illustration sector still faces key structural challenges – from scattered communities to limited commercial channels and a shortage of premium exhibition platforms. SIPS addresses these gaps directly by curating global resources and streamlining commercial matchmaking, offering brands and stakeholders fresh collaboration prospects. It also serves as a launchpad for illustrators seeking development and international exposure, driving the industry towards greater maturity and resilience.
The exhibition features three key thematic sections. Illustration as Art focuses on the standalone artistic value of illustration within contemporary art – showcasing original works, reproductions, and artist collaborations of collectible significance. Pop and Brand explores illustration’s cross-sector use across designer toys, fashion, and lifestyle products – highlighting how brands harness visual storytelling to express identity and vision. Illustrators Avenue gathers original works and derivatives by independent illustrators worldwide, creating a direct link between creators, the public, and the market. Together, the three sections outline a vibrant ecosystem where illustration flourishes across art, commerce, and daily life.
SIPS is designed to engage three key visitor groups. First are industry professionals – brands, creative agencies, and retail buyers – on the lookout for exceptional illustration and new collaboration opportunities. Second are collectors and art enthusiasts, from cultural institutions to private buyers, drawn by the chance to discover and acquire distinctive works. Third are content creators themselves – illustrators and designers – seeking inspiration, exposure, and career development. The show bridges artistic aspiration and commercial potential, offering a shared platform for creation, curation, and connection.
A series of professional events will run alongside the main exhibition: The Illustrators Survival Corner, a project by BolognaFiere curated by Mimaster Illustrazione, will provide career development support through masterclasses, one-on-one portfolio reviews, and creative workshops. Master Illustrators Showcase will feature curated solo and group exhibitions presenting the signature works of internationally recognised illustrators. Illustrators Pitch provides an open, fast-paced matchmaking platform where illustrators can engage directly with brands, publishers, and licensing professionals – fostering real-time collaboration and exposure.
By combining international resources with expert event management, SIPS aims to foster the integration of illustration and contemporary lifestyle culture – bridging content creation, market application, and cultural value. The exhibition seeks to inject new momentum into China’s creative industries.
SIPS is organised by BolognaFiere China Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of BolognaFiere Group. Headquartered in Italy, BolognaFiere Group is among the world’s foremost exhibition organisers, delivering over 100 international trade fairs annually across a broad spectrum of industries – including art, publishing, fashion, beauty, health, food, pet supplies, and industrial machinery. Since 1967, the Group has hosted the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition, widely regarded as the most prestigious professional platform in the global illustration industry. SIPS builds upon this legacy to offer a groundbreaking exhibition and exchange platform for illustration and pop culture in China and across Asia.