Now Place is an art community and independent publisher based in San Francisco, championing female and emerging artists/creators from the Asian diaspora.
As a collective, we showcase culturally rooted works that celebrate the rich heritage and diverse narratives of Asian cultures. Our stories and zines blend tradition, innovation, and personal expression, offering a window into our shared identities in an interconnected world. Reflecting our dual identity, most of our zines and books are multi-lingual.
Three things of Love 愛三則
Love is fluid—unbound by language, form, or definition. In this series of three zines, Akaa explore love’s shifting nature through text, material, and composition. Each zine approaches love differently: as a whispered intimacy, a question without an answer, a fleeting emotion that lingers beyond words.
Blurring the lines between English and Chinese, text and image, material and meaning, these works embody love’s contradictions—its clarity and ambiguity, its tenderness and uncertainty. Through layered paper, dissolving words, and the interplay of space and touch, these zines invite the reader to not just read, but to feel love in its many forms.
She exists admits thousands pain她存在於萬千痛苦之中
She exists amidst thousands of pain is a illustration/poem zine, created by Akaa.
This zine is a self, intimate reflection of resilience, emotions, and the quiet strength within moments of struggles. Akaa wrote and illustrated 7 poems to explore a fragmented story of love, marriage, and being women.
She exists amidst thousands of pain is a bilingual and serial artist's zine inspired by and devoted to women's experience worldly yet personally everyday life of being women.
Artist: Akaa, Self-published, 28 pages, 5 x 8 inch, $26
"Hey, please listen to me" Earring
This Earring Zine was designed and produced by Akaa as an exploration of the fluidity of the book format.
It features a love poem, whispering love alongside your ear, with pages intentionally designed in length to reflect the meaning of the content.
Artist: Akaa, Self-published, 28 pages, 5 x 8 inch
What is love 愛是什麼
This "Love letter" Zine by Akaa explores the fluidity of language—not only in translation and the way words shift between English and Chinese, but also in the materiality of the book itself. Through layered paper, blurred text, and shifting forms, the work dissolves the boundaries between meaning and medium.
Much like love, language is never fixed. It transcends direct translation, existing in the spaces between words, between what is seen and what is felt. This zine reflects that transient nature, allowing words to merge, fade, and transform—echoing how love moves beyond language, beyond definition, and into something fluid and ineffable.
Artist: Akaa, Self-published, 30 pages, 5 x 8 inch
"I AM CAT IN BETWEEN WORLDS" is a collection of stories created by Akaa that bring the world of 小貓文學 (Little Cat Literature) to life. Through the eyes of our curious and endearing feline protagonists, the stories delve into the intricacies of dual identity—navigating the space between being human and cat, being Asian and residing in the Western world.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
"I AM CAT IN BETWEEN WORLDS" is a collection of stories created by Akaa that bring the world of 小貓文學 (Little Cat Literature) to life. Through the eyes of our curious and endearing feline protagonists, the stories delve into the intricacies of dual identity—navigating the space between being human and cat, being Asian and residing in the Western world.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
I AM CAT series
我是貓
I AM CAT Series is a bilingual collection of zines created in collaboration between Now Place and artist Akaa, inspired by solitary walks through neighborhoods in cities like Hong Kong. This series explores themes of identity, tradition, and duality through the lens of feline perspectives through storytelling and visual art, offering a whimsical yet poignant look at the intersection of the modern and traditional.
AT SHOP IN ASIA 铺头猫在香港
_gif.gif)
The story invites you into the enchanting world of three cats residing in a traditional Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong, that is about to close.
One of the central themes of this zine is the exploration of identity in the intersection between the modern world and tradition. While the Chinese medicine store is going away, three cats navigate their roles within the shop and interact with the diverse array of customers.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
Cat poem things 小猫一些诗集
Daily cat literature 小猫二三事
"I AM CAT IN BETWEEN WORLDS" is a collection of stories created by Akaa that bring the world of 小貓二三事 (Little Cat Literature) to life. Through the eyes of our curious and endearing feline protagonists, the stories delve into the intricacies of dual identity—navigating the space between being human and cat, being Asian and residing in the Western world.
Self published, 5x8 inches, 28 pages
"I AM CAT IN BETWEEN WORLDS" is a collection of stories created by Akaa that bring the world of 小貓文學 (Little Cat Literature) to life. Through the eyes of our curious and endearing feline protagonists, the stories delve into the intricacies of dual identity—navigating the space between being human and cat, being Asian and residing in the Western world.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
Yan Book 鼴書
We are proud to showcase Yan Book, a champion of small-scale, independent publishing that embraces artistic freedom beyond mainstream constraints. Through collaborations with artists, Yan Book creates experimental publications that explore visual storytelling, materiality, and immersive reading experiences.
A Personal Bible: Han Yong’s Painted Scripture
一个的圣经
Han Yong boldly paints over the Bible, not as an act of defacement but as a deeply personal reinterpretation—his own visual scripture.
Artist: Han Yong
Design: Yida
Moonnight party
Xiangyata’s art book is a delicate collection of pencil-drawn narratives, blending quiet nostalgia with dreamlike introspection. Each intricately rendered scene—whether intimate gatherings under power lines or luminous encounters with fire—unfolds with cinematic softness, inviting viewers into a world both distant and deeply personal.
Artist: Xiangyata, Published by Yan shu
Zhen 鴆 - A photography book
"鹤 (Zhen)" is a photography book that captures a surreal, mythical, and dreamlike quality. Directed by Lin Shu, the book presents haunting and atmospheric landscapes from locations such as Huangshan, Wudangshan, Zhangjiajie, and more. Through its delicate balance of stillness and motion, the book presents an ethereal narrative, where the timeless essence of nature meets the modern urban landscape.
Artist: Lin Shu, Published by Yan shu
51 Tan is a commissioned record of the Shanghai street vendors that Cao Feile took notice of and made observation of from 2016 to 2023. Initially published as a series of social media posts on the 11 Shanghai Biennale's WeChat platform in the form of 连环画 (Chinese pulp comics), the record outlines a collection of itinerant peddlers she took efforts to approach, get close to and interact with. The details are vivid, subtle, and warmly human.
Artist: Cao Feile, Published by 51 persona project
Zine, Art pints
Chen print
‘i love you’, Nov 2024
Risograph printed at Tiny Splendor
Artist: Ruby Chen
‘twenty something’, Jul 2024
Hand-bound zine risograph printed at Tiny Splendor
A collection of poetry and photography from my twenty-sixth year documenting feelings of joy, confusion, pain, and cultural questioning throughout the year - a progression of growing older and letting go.
‘Third Culture Arts Club’, Oct 2024
11” x 17” poster risograph printed at Tiny Splendor
Artist: Ruby Chen
‘oranges’ 8.5x11” Illustrative Riso, Mar 2022
Personal collection posters printed at CCA
Artist: Ruby Chen
‘Third Culture Arts Club’, Oct 2024
11” x 17” poster risograph printed at Tiny Splendor
Artist: Ruby Chen
Zine, Art pints
Five Ghost
‘i love you’, Nov 2024
Risograph printed at Tiny Splendor
Artist: Five Ghost
‘twenty something’, Jul 2024
Hand-bound zine risograph printed at Tiny Splendor
A collection of poetry and photography from my twenty-sixth year documenting feelings of joy, confusion, pain, and cultural questioning throughout the year - a progression of growing older and letting go.
‘Third Culture Arts Club’, Oct 2024
11” x 17” poster risograph printed at Tiny Splendor
Artist: Ruby Chen
te magazine
We proudly feature bilingual publication te magazine. Each issue takes inspiration from the current moment, generates a theme best encapsulating the thinking sparked by that moment, and invites researchers and creators from different fields to share their work around it.
te issue 3: Mirroring 镜中寻步
te issue 3: Mirroring 镜中寻步 explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and confronting personal and collective plights. Through essays, interviews, and collaborations, contributors delve into topics like colonial legacies, trauma, cultural identity, and resilience. The issue emphasizes personal narratives, collaboration, and the interplay between individual and collective healing. It invites readers to explore how self-understanding and creative expression can transform challenges into growth.
Minnan Exit 不辞而别
Since 2015, Wen-You Cai has photographed family funerals in Quanzhou, Fujian, exploring grief, Minnan rituals, and her fear of death. Minnan Exit, designed by RELATED DEPARTMENT, blends personal photos with cultural insights, reflecting her journey to understand and reconcile mortality.
te issue 3: Mirroring 镜中寻步 explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and confronting personal and collective plights. Through essays, interviews, and collaborations, contributors delve into topics like colonial legacies, trauma, cultural identity, and resilience. The issue emphasizes personal narratives, collaboration, and the interplay between individual and collective healing. It invites readers to explore how self-understanding and creative expression can transform challenges into growth.
Art pints, stickers, magnets
Bilingual Delights
Rooted in the artist's identity as Chinese and inspired by the cultural melting pot of San Francisco, each illustration in the series depicts a charming scene where cute animals take on the forms of beloved foods, accompanied by bilingual puns that cleverly connect Mandarin and English words. From a bagel-shaped dog (贝狗) to a mochi-inspired cat (猫气), the artworks invite viewers to delight in the playful interplay between language and imagery.
Artist: Akaa, Self published
双语趣伙伴
Zine, Art pints
Faith Cao
One AIYA 哎呀 risograph printed zine illustrating 'Aiya' 哎呀 moments. Aiyaa, aiyah, aiyoh, aiya, or 哎呀 is a word used to express disappointment, surprise, annoyance, pain, frustration, sarcasm, etc. In this zine you'll find five illustrations of aiya moments as an artist.
Five die cut teochew themed stickers! One 'ga gi nang' sticker, one 'png kueh' sticker, one 'gu chai kueh' sticker, one 'proud to be teochew' sticker, and one four color card game sticker.
‘Third Culture Arts Club’, Oct 2024
11” x 17” poster risograph printed at Tiny Splendor
Artist: Ruby Chen
51 Personae
We proudly feature 51 Personae, a collaborative art project and independent publishing initiative that began as an off-site program of the 11th Shanghai Biennale. Now a self-sustaining publishing platform, 51 Personae champions publishing as a vital artistic practice. Their work emphasizes life experiences in Asia, the Third World, and marginalized voices under suppression, fostering dialogue across diverse perspectives.
Beijing Underground
北京地下
“Beijing Underground” is a story of trapped people.One summer, four people were trapped in a bar inBeijing after falling asleep on a black couch, and three of them knew very well that the only way to get out is to go to the "Beijing Underground". They chatted and gossiped, gradually realizing that the Tengu mask on the wall can help them out of their predicament. Finally, they left the bar carrying the Tengu mask and walked down the street.
Artist: Gong yi, Published by 51 personae
51 Tan 51摊
51 Tan is a commissioned record of the Shanghai street vendors that Cao Feile took notice of and made observation of from 2016 to 2023. Initially published as a series of social media posts on the 11 Shanghai Biennale's WeChat platform in the form of 连环画 (Chinese pulp comics), the record outlines a collection of itinerant peddlers she took efforts to approach, get close to and interact with. The details are vivid, subtle, and warmly human.
Artist: Cao Feile, Published by 51 persona project
51 Tan is a commissioned record of the Shanghai street vendors that Cao Feile took notice of and made observation of from 2016 to 2023. Initially published as a series of social media posts on the 11 Shanghai Biennale's WeChat platform in the form of 连环画 (Chinese pulp comics), the record outlines a collection of itinerant peddlers she took efforts to approach, get close to and interact with. The details are vivid, subtle, and warmly human.
Artist: Cao Feile, Published by 51 persona project
Star-gazing syndrome 观星症
Star-Gazing Syndrome is a bilingual collection of poems and illustrations by artist Yaoting Wang. This evocative work delves into the intimate and universal act of daily life, exploring themes of longing, introspection, and connection to each other. Through a harmonious blend of poetic language and visual artistry, Star-Gazing Syndrome invites readers to reflect on the vastness of the universe and their place within it.
Artist: Yaoting Wang, Self published
Zine
碎语集
Collaborative bi-lingual poems
At Now Place, we believe in fostering creative power and promoting self-expression. Our bilingual poetry workshop is an ongoing exploration of language—not just as a tool for communication, but as an extension of identity and thought.
This zine is a collection of poems born from that process. Through collage, cutting, pasting, and reassembling words, participants navigate the interplay between Chinese and English, uncovering new ways to express themselves. It is a testament to the beauty of deconstruction and reconstruction, where language becomes a bridge between worlds, stories, and selves.
Written by: Queenie, Heather, Felicia Chang, Jessie Ying, Summer, Sky, Yolanda, Xiao Xiao, Stream Wu, Ying Liu
Designed by: Akaa, Self published
Zine
茶酒三篇
Three Tea Cocktail Zines
This zine brings together tea, flowers, and spirits, mixing Asian flavors with classic cocktails. Each recipe is original created and is a blend of tradition and experimentation, reflecting a cross-cultural identity. The bilingual format (English and Chinese) mirrors the in-between space of growing up with multiple influences—where drinks, like language, can carry history and personal meaning.
More than just recipes, Drink Up 茶酒三篇 is a small tribute to the way cultures mix, adapt, and create something new.
Artist: Akaa, Self published
Travel zine
Zine
Mexico City
The artist's trip to Mexico City left her captivated by the lively culture and the contrast between the everyday hustle of Mexican life and the grandeur of high-class buildings. Reminded of her hometown Nanjing, she felt a sense of kinship with the city. Inspired by her experiences, she decided to document her feelings and the scenes she encountered.
Artist: Akaa, Self published
A PURRFECT ENDING
Zine
A journey to get back to your loved ones
"A PURRFECT ENDING" chronicles the journey of a soul navigating the afterlife, driven by an unshakeable determination to reunite with their two beloved cats. As they traverse through realms unknown, encountering obstacles and allies along the way, the tale unfolds with heartwarming twists and turns.
Artist: Akaa, Self-published,
Drifted Echoes
Comic
漂浮的回声
This comic visually captures an intimate journey of self-reflection and identity, exploring the intricate relationships between the artist, her loved one, nature, and her true self. The story evokes a sense of introspection and transformation, where moments of connection blend with the natural world, giving rise to a new self after the passage of love.
Through dreamy illustrations and poetic dialogues, the artist questions whether the experiences are real or imagined, while finding solace in nature's embrace. This journey invites the reader to reflect on the fluidity of identity and the search for wholeness.
Artist: Akaa, Self-published,
