Book Illustrators Gallery
The Book Illustrators Gallery (BIG) is a key feature of the Asian Festival of Children’s Content. From featured twin illustrators and budding artists, to seasoned and award-winning submissions, this year’s gallery showcases the best picture book illustrations by illustrators and artists from Southeast Asia, those based in Asia and in the global Asian diaspora.
BIG Travels to Nami Island!
We are excited to announce that BIG 2025 has officially opened on Nami Island, Korea!
Originally showcased at AFCC 2025, BIG 2025 features a wide range of themes including family, emotions, imagination, courage, community, self-discovery, friendship and nature.
Artworks from 41 illustrators have been selected for display on Nami Island, representing talents from Korea, Singapore and creative communities across Asia and the Asian diaspora.
The exhibition runs from 3 Oct–9 Nov 2025, and is located at Pyeonghwarang Gallery on Nami Island. Tag us on our socials if you visit the show!
About BIG 2025
For the 2025 edition, the Open Submissions category received tremendous support, with more than 730 illustration submissions - the most number AFCC has received to date.
Of these, more than 340 illustrations by 84 artists from 24 countries have been selected to become part of the Open Submissions gallery. Meanwhile, 43 illustrations by close to 20 Korean illustrators comprise the COF Korea gallery.
This year’s galleries revolve around themes of family, emotions, imagination, courage, community, self-discovery, friendship, nature and many more!
Here's a snippet of what some of our curators say about this year's selection:
We hold the belief that a great picture book is never just “for children.” It opens doors for readers of all ages. With that in mind, we looked for illustrations that spark curiosity across generations—images that speak to the child and the grown-up
within us all.- Phuong Vu & Pham Thi Hoai Anh
Initiative of Children's Book Creative Content-Vietnam (ICBC)
Read more about the
curators' comments here.
We extend our special thanks to this year’s curation partners for the Open Submission gallery: International Youth Library-Munich (Germany); IndBBY (Indonesia); Chihiro Art Museum (Japan); PBBY (Philippines); Hyundai Museum of Kids’ Books & Art (South Korea); ThaiBBY (Thailand); Initiative of Children’s Book Creative Content (Vietnam); and Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (USA).
BIG COF Korea extends our special thanks to our friends from the Korea Publishing Industry Promotion Agency (KPIPA) for curating the gallery.
Marked by their dynamic and energetic styles, discover these artists' free-spirited approach to storytelling through the illustrations in our galleries. BIG 2025's virtual galleries run until May 2026.
Open Submissions Gallery
Country of Focus: Korea
BIG Illustrators Directory
BIG Curators
Previous BIG galleries
2024 Gallery 2023 Gallery 2022 Gallery 2021 Gallery 2020 Gallery 2019 Gallery 2018 Gallery 2017 Gallery 2016 Gallery 2015 Gallery 2014 Gallery