Steidl Book Culture. Magic on Paper

About

Step into the world of Steidl Book Culture: Magic on Paper, an extraordinary showcase celebrating the artistry of printed matter. Curated by renowned Printer and Publisher Gerhard Steidl, this much-anticipated exhibition celebrates printed matter through the works of three renowned artists: Dayanita Singh (India), Jim Dine (USA) and Theseus Chan (Singapore), who respond to the analogue foundations of Steidl’s philosophy, engaging deeply with the tactile and contemplative craft at the heart of bookmaking.

This showcase is made possible with in generous collaboration with Goethe-Institut Singapore in fostering cultural and artistic exchange between cities.

Opening Hours

Wednesday & Thursday: 1pm – 7pm (last admission at 6pm)
Friday: 1pm – 9pm (last admission at 8pm)
Saturday: 11am – 7pm (last admission at 6pm)

Closed on Public Holidays

Programmes

1. STEIDL Book Culture: An Afternoon Book Review

Date: March 13 2026 (Friday)
Time: 3PM to 5PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Open Book Review with Gerhard Stiedl, Dayanita Singh, Theseus Chan

Join us for a rare afternoon with three remarkable figures in the world of photobooks and publishing — Gerhard Steidl, Theseus Chan, and Dayanita Singh.

Through conversation and selected books, they will share the stories behind their publications and reflect on the craft of bookmaking — from concept and design to printing and material choices. Together, they will explore how books can become intimate spaces for images, ideas, and narratives to unfold.

This afternoon session offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from a master printer, an influential designer, and an artist deeply invested in the book as a living form. Discover the thinking, experimentation, and collaboration that shape the photobook as both object and experience.

2. STEIDL Book Culture Fireside Chat: Books in the Time of Digital & AI

Date: March 13 2026 (Friday)
Time: 7:30PM to 8:30PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Conversations with Gerhard Stiedl, Dayanita Singh, Theseus Chan

In an age of screens and algorithms, why do artists still make books?

Join a lively conversation on the art of bookmaking and publishing with Theseus Chan, Dayanita Singh, and German publisher Gerhard Steidl. Moderated by Gwen Lee, this one-hour fireside chat dives into the stories, realities, and untold lessons behind making and publishing artist books today.

Expect candid insights, behind-the-scenes perspectives, and the questions you’ve always wanted to ask about books — in a time shaped by digital media and AI.

*Admission with valid ticket of the day. Limited seats available.

3. It’s Got to be Now! – Emerging Bookmakers

Date: March 29 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 4PM to 5:15PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Conversations with Tay Yiling, Angelica Ong, Lai Yu Tong

Step into the world of today’s emerging bookmakers!

Join Tay Yiling, Angelica Ong, and Lai Yu Tong as they share their journeys as creators, exploring the energy, vision, and curiosity that drive their work. Discover how they experiment with materials, formats, and collaborations to bring tangible, meaningful books to life—even in an increasingly digital world.

Facilitated by Alvin Ng, this conversation connects their personal practices to broader trends in contemporary bookmaking and independent publishing, offering a glimpse into the future of the craft.

4. Collaboration and Process

Date: April 4 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 4PM to 5:15PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Conversations with Huda (Your Local Newsstand), Jamie Png(PPIPPIPRESS) and Ryan Lim Zi Yi (BACKYARD)

This session brings together Huda (Your Local Newsstand), Jamie Png (PPIPPIPRESS), and Ryan Lim Zi Yi (BACKYARD) in a conversation facilitated by Alvin Ng. Focusing on engagement and collaboration, the discussion will explore how independent publishers and print practitioners work with others across disciplines, communities, and networks to shape their projects.

They will also reflect on the role of materials, shared resources, and collective practices in sustaining independent publishing, as well as how collaboration can support community-building within the broader print and publishing ecosystem.

5. STEIDL Book Culture: Constructing the Artist’s Book

Date: April 11 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 2PM to 3:15PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Conversations with Robert Zhao and Hanson Ho

In this conversation, artist Robert Zhao Renhui and book designer Hanson Ho come together to unpack the ideas, decisions, and processes behind making an artist’s book—from initial concept to material form. Moving between image, narrative, and design, the discussion traces how a book can become a site for speculation, storytelling, and artistic inquiry.

Facilitated by design curator Berny Tan, this session offers a closer look at the collaborative dynamics between artist and designer, and how their dialogue shapes the final work as both object and experience.

6. From the Ground Up – Voices in Independent Publishing

Date: April 25 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 4PM to 5:30PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Conversations with TheBookShow (Ang Song Nian) & Temporary Press (Gideon) and Rubbish Famzine (Pann Lim)
Independent publishing continues to shape the vitality of contemporary book culture. In this conversation, Ang Song Nian of TheBookShow, Gideon of Temporary Press, and Pann Lim of Rubbish Famzine come together to share how their respective platforms emerged from a desire to create and distribute books outside conventional publishing structures.

Facilitated by Gwen Lee, the session explores the motivations, challenges, and creative freedoms that come with building publishing initiatives from the ground up. From artist books and zines to experimental print formats, the speakers will reflect on how grassroots practices foster communities, circulate ideas, and expand the possibilities of the book as a cultural object.

The discussion will offer insight into the ethos and processes behind independent publishing, highlighting the energy and experimentation that sustain book culture at its most personal and collaborative.

7. STEIDL Book Culture: In the Hands of the Makers – When Paper Meets Art

Date: May 16 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 4PM to 5PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Conversations with Jane Goh (RJ Paper) and Theseus Chan
The story of a book goes beyond its words—it lives in the hands of the designer, the materials, and the industry that shapes its physical presence. The creative process can emerge from an immediate response to paper, ink, and form, opening a space for imagination and crafting a tangible experience for the reader.

Join book artist Theseus Chan and Jane Goh, co-founder of RJ Papers, as they share their passion for paper, the inspiration behind their works, and the dedication that drives their commitment to both creativity and trade. Discover what it truly means to bring a book to life, from concept to the page you hold.

8. STEIDL Book Culture: What’s Next? Ten Years Since Steidl Asia Book Award

Date: May 23 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 4PM to 5PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Conversations with Robert Zhao, Woong Soak Teng and Broy Lim
Ten years ago, the Steidl Asia Book Award brought eight extraordinary books to life, printed at Steidlville in Göttingen, Germany. What has changed since then? How did the award shape these artists’ approaches to bookmaking, and what impact—if any—has it had on their practice? Join us as Broy Lim, Robert Zhao Renhui, and Woong Soak Teng reflect on a decade of creative evolution, sharing insights on bookmaking in today’s rapidly changing world.

9. Paper Passion: A Market for All Things Paper

Date: May 30 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 12PM to 9PM
Location: Shop–House by DECK

Celebrating Arts and Paper
DECK presents Paper Passion, a one-day market celebrating the art and versatility of paper at Shop-House by DECK, alongside the Steidl Book Culture exhibition. Artists and creatives are invited to showcase books, prints, photographs, and other paper-based works, filling the space with texture, color, and inspiration.

Inspired by the 2012 fragrance “Paper Passion Perfume” by Geza Schoen with Gerhard Steidl and Wallpaper magazine, which captures the scent of freshly printed books, the market celebrates the tactile and sensory pleasures of paper.

A rare opportunity to connect with fellow artists and audiences who love books, print, and paper-based art.

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