The Shanghai Illustration & Pop Show (SIPS) will take place from May 28 to 30, 2027 at Shanghai Exhibition Centre for its second edition.
Building on the legacy of the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition, SIPS is an international fair created to serve China's illustration industry. Centred on illustration, SIPS brings together artistic creation, pop culture and commercial applications, creating a platform for creators, brands and industry partners to connect, collaborate and support the sustainable development of the illustration industry. SIPS 2027 is structured around three signature sections — Illustration as Art, Pop & Brand and Illustrators Avenue — bringing together illustrators, galleries, cultural institutions, brands and industry partners to foster closer connections between artistic practice and commercial opportunities.
Illustration as Art showcases original artworks, fine art reproductions, illustration art collaborations and art merchandise by illustrators, designers, galleries, illustration agencies and cultural institutions. Celebrating illustration as a collectible art form, the section highlights its growing presence in contemporary art collecting, gallery programmes and exhibitions, while supporting the continued development of the illustration art market.
Pop & Brand focuses on the diverse commercial applications of illustration, spanning brand collaborations, IP licensing, product design, fashion and lifestyle products, and pop toys. Demonstrating the commercial possibilities of illustration, the section highlights how it shapes brand identity, enhances products and strengthens brand value.
Illustrators Avenue is dedicated to independent illustrators, showcasing original artworks, creator-owned IPs and a diverse range of creative merchandise. It serves as a dynamic interface connecting emerging illustrators with brands, publishers and licensing partners.
Alongside the exhibition, SIPS 2027 will present a programme of Featured Illustration Exhibitions, Master Talks and One-on-one Portfolio Reviews, featuring internationally acclaimed illustrators, recent award-winners, and professionals from the illustration and pop culture industries.
The inaugural SIPS was successfully held in May 2026, bringing together 158 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions, attracting more than 12,000 visitors, and hosting 16 professional programmes alongside 230 one-on-one portfolio reviews. Building on the success of its debut edition, SIPS is evolving from a single exhibition into a comprehensive platform for the illustration industry.
Exhibitor applications for SIPS 2027 are now open. Galleries, cultural institutions, brands, IP owners and operators, illustration agencies, illustration studios and independent illustrators are cordially invited to join SIPS in Shanghai to build new partnerships and contribute to the continued growth of China's illustration industry.
