JAKARTA, September 17, 2026 — The fourth edition of the Jakarta Illustration and Creative Arts Fair (JICAF) officially opened on Thursday, September 17, at Agora Mall Lifestyle in Thamrin, Central Jakarta. Running for nearly three weeks, the festival brings together professional artists, emerging creators, brands, communities, and creative industry players under this year’s theme, “The World We Draw.”
More than an illustration fair, JICAF 2026 aims to become a meeting point for different creative perspectives. Through exhibitions, collaborations, and various programs, the festival explores how illustration can be used to create, interpret, and share the worlds imagined by each artist.
One of the most notable additions to this year’s edition is Sparks, a new program specifically created to give emerging artists an opportunity to step into the spotlight.
Unlike the Professional category, which is intended for artists with at least three years of professional experience and a track record of working with clients, Sparks does not require participants to have an established professional portfolio.
Instead, the program focuses on something more personal: the artist’s creative voice and the uniqueness of their work.
“Last year, professional artists and emerging artists were all grouped together,” said JICAF Co-Founder and Fair Director Sunny Gho during a press conference at Agora Mall on Thursday.
“This year, we have 60 artists, and Sparks is something new. We’re not looking at how technically skilled you are. We want to give those who are just starting out the opportunity to be part of JICAF without requiring any portfolio,” he added.
For Sunny, the idea behind Sparks is to create a more accessible entry point for young and emerging creators who may still be finding their identity in the creative industry.
The selection process, therefore, does not simply measure technical ability. Instead, the curators look at whether an artist has a distinctive voice and whether their work offers something interesting.
“For Sparks, we only look at whether your voice is unique and whether your work is interesting. We’re not judging whether the anatomy is right or wrong, because that’s not what the judges are looking at,” Sunny explained.
The approach gives emerging artists the freedom to present their work without having to fit into a particular standard of technical perfection. More importantly, it gives them a chance to experience what it means to have their work seen within a larger creative ecosystem.
“What we want to make sure of is that we give them that opportunity at JICAF, so they have a platform and can continue to grow,” Sunny said.
Bringing Different Creative Worlds Together
The philosophy behind Sparks connects closely with JICAF 2026’s main theme, “The World We Draw.”
According to Sunny, every creator has a world of their own—one shaped by personal experiences, imagination, culture, and individual perspectives. JICAF aims to bring these different worlds together while creating opportunities for new connections and collaborations.
“‘The World We Draw’ is about how every creator has their own world to share. For us, JICAF is a space where these worlds can meet, while also creating opportunities for works, ideas, and creativity to connect with more people,” Sunny said.
He added that the theme is not simply about what artists put on paper or on a screen, but also about what happens when different creative perspectives come together.
“Ultimately, ‘The World We Draw’ is not only about what we draw, but also about the world that is created when different perspectives meet. We want JICAF to continue being a place where creators can find audiences, build connections, and discover more possibilities through their work,” he said.
This year’s JICAF features artists and creative projects with diverse visual approaches, including Rinaldo Hartanto x LEKAT, Stereoflow, Machine 56, Pronto Pixel, BART, and Fluxcup.
Among the collaborations featured at the fair is a special project by Stereoflow and Psychloop, which explores the intersection between illustration, product design, and cycling culture.
Their Special Drop was inspired by their shared interest in bicycles and experiences within the cycling community.
“Through the Special Drop at JICAF 2026, we want to create a product that is not only functional for everyday cyclists, but also brings creativity and a spirit that makes the cycling experience more enjoyable,” Stereoflow said.
The collaboration reflects the broader direction of JICAF this year, where illustration extends beyond galleries and traditional art spaces to meet communities, products, brands, and everyday experiences.
A New Generation Takes the Stage
JICAF 2026 also brings together a diverse Board of Curators, featuring professionals from film, design, illustration, publishing, art, entertainment, and popular culture.
The curatorial board includes Marchella FP, Hadi Ismanto, Ykha Amelz, Andrey Noelfry, Irvine Priscillia, and Nicola Schwartz, with Adjis Doaibu also joining the team and bringing his perspective from the entertainment and popular culture industries.
For the Sparks category, Sherina Munaf is also part of the curatorial team. With experience across music, acting, and the wider creative industry, her perspective adds another layer to the process of identifying the character and potential of emerging creators.
Meanwhile, the Professional category features Hermawan Tanzil, founder of LeBoYe Graphic Design Studio, and filmmaker and commercial director Dimas Djayadiningrat.
Together, the curators help shape a festival that presents different approaches to creativity while maintaining distinct criteria for professional and emerging artists.
The introduction of Sparks could become one of the defining elements of JICAF 2026—not simply because it introduces new names to the festival, but because it creates a space where artists can begin building their creative journey in front of a wider audience.
For visitors, this means JICAF offers more than the opportunity to discover established artists. It also provides a glimpse into the next generation of creators who are still developing their voices and finding their place within Indonesia’s growing creative scene.
Disney Meets Indonesian Street Culture
Another highlight at JICAF 2026 is “Disney Jajan,” a collaboration between Disney Indonesia and three Indonesian artists: Ykha Amelz, WD Wily, and Liunic.
The project presents a local interpretation of Stitch, drawing inspiration from Indonesian snacks, culture, and street life. The collaboration reflects JICAF’s broader interest in bringing globally recognized characters and ideas into conversations with local creative identities.
With its mix of established artists, emerging talent, collaborations, and community-driven projects, JICAF 2026 presents illustration as something that can exist far beyond the traditional canvas.
From professional artists with years of experience to newcomers making their first major appearance, the festival creates room for different creative journeys to exist side by side.
JICAF 2026 is taking place at Agora Mall L2, Central Jakarta, from September 17 to October 4, 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the exhibitions, discover new artists, and experience how different creative worlds come together under one roof.
At its core, JICAF 2026 is not only about looking at what artists have created. It is about discovering the worlds behind those creations—and seeing what happens when those worlds meet.
Leave a Reply