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
"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
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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
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
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
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,
