The National Gallery of Victoria is set to once again transform Melbourne into a hub of art, design, and literature with the 11th annual Melbourne Art Book Fair (MABF).
Running from 15 to 25 May 2025, this much-anticipated event celebrates the rich world of art book publishing and Melbourne’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature. Across 11 exhilarating days, attendees will experience a dynamic program of exhibitions, book launches, discussions, and hands-on workshops, culminating in the highly anticipated Stallholder Fair.
The Stallholder Fair
From 16 to 18 May, NGV’s iconic Great Hall will host more than 100 of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading publishers, artists, and designers. This three-day marketplace invites visitors into a vibrant world of limited-edition books, prints, magazines, and zines. Among the highlights is Newsstand, a celebration of independent press history, where visitors can collect complimentary, limited-edition publications from creatives including The Paris End, Long Prawn, N0 R3PLY, and Indonesia’s Binatang Press and Krack!. These unique publications explore themes ranging from cultural critiques to playful meditations on heartbreak and food.
A strong Southeast Asian showcase will spotlight cutting-edge contemporary art and design publishing. Visitors can explore works by Indonesia’s Cahyati Press, dedicated to women’s and LGBTQIA+ narratives; Spacebar Zine from Thailand, presenting independent art publications; Malaysia’s Suburbia Projects, focusing on architecture; and Singapore and London-based KOVA, blending wearable structures and interdisciplinary art.
Interactive experiences will bring visitors even closer to the creative process. Books By The Gram, presented by Long Prawn, allows attendees to purchase sections of cookbooks priced by weight. Meanwhile, Troppo Print Studio offers screen-printing workshops where participants can create silkscreen prints and contribute to a collaborative visual poetry project set to culminate in a publication at the fair’s end.
Family Fun Under the Dancing Pumpkin
Families and young readers will delight in Kids Pumpkin Storytime, held under Yayoi Kusama’s monumental Dancing Pumpkin in Federation Court. Beloved local authors and publishers such as Tai Snaith, Gracia and Louise, and Kids’ Own Publishing will bring their stories to life in these enchanting sessions for little book lovers.
Satellite Program Highlights
Beyond the Stallholder Fair, the MABF satellite program expands across the city and beyond, offering exhibitions and events that celebrate art, design, and storytelling. A standout is Catherine Griffiths: Out of Line, the largest exhibition of the internationally acclaimed New Zealand artist, designer, and typographer’s work to date. Hosted by the Melbourne School of Design, this exhibition explores how typography interacts with language and public spaces through immersive installations and wordplay. Visitors can attend a public lecture by Griffiths and take part in a salon-style discussion presented by Parlour and the Melbourne School of Design.
Meanwhile, artist Phuong Ngo will launch his powerful new photobook, Inheritance, during MABF. Collaborating with Slow Burn Books to coincide with a solo exhibition at West Space, Ngo’s work examines the complex history of the Vietnamese diaspora through archival material, familial stories, and themes of colonialism, conflict, and displacement.
A Global Spotlight
The MABF will also shine a light on New Zealand’s thriving independent publishing scene. From major institutions like Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhet? and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o T?maki to smaller imprints like Rim Books and GLORIA, the diversity of innovative publishers will captivate book lovers. Visitors can even explore the newly revived The National Grid, a graphic design journal synonymous with design excellence.
The fair doesn’t stop at NGV. A special pop-up Book Stand at COMME des GARÇONS Melbourne, in collaboration with Perimeter Books, will feature publications by local publishers and designers, including the new COMME DES GARÇONS PARFUMS 1994–2025, curated by Dino Simonett.
A Growing Legacy
Since its inception in 2015, the Melbourne Art Book Fair has grown into the largest event of its kind in the region, drawing an impressive 28,000 visitors to the Stallholder Fair in 2024. Tony Ellwood AM, Director of NGV, reflects on the event’s impact, saying, ‘Melbourne Art Book Fair brings together authors, publishers, artists, and designers from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region in a celebration of art and literature. The program fosters a rich exchange of ideas between industry professionals and art enthusiasts alike.’
Presented as part of Melbourne Design Week, the MABF promises an unforgettable exploration of ideas and creativity. Join the celebration at NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, and venues across Victoria. For the full program, visit ARTBOOKFAIR.MELBOURNE.