Some Thoughts on the Art of Romance

Well, good people, it’s that time of year again. Everyone’s favorite marketing ploy cleverly disguise

Feb 11, 2021 • View in browser

Well, good people, it’s that time of year again. Everyone’s favorite marketing ploy cleverly disguised as a holiday — Valentine’s Day — is just around the bend.With that in mind, we of the Hyperallergic Store thought we’d provide theoretical chocolates for the soul by way of retail therapy. While you’ll find no candy hearts or stuffed animals on our list, you will see unique art-inspired gifts, accessories, home goods, and more that for us represent one thing we’re very much not cynical about (contrary to the snark above): celebrating love. As a reminder, Hyperallergic Members enjoy 10% off on all store orders. We also sell gift cards for the indecisive 😉.

"Afromuses Couple" Tea Towels x Chris Ofili These stunning linen tea towels were created for the New Museum’s celebrated 2014 exhibition Chris Ofili: Day and Night and feature work from the artist’s Afro Muses series of small watercolor portraits. While we do sell them individually, they are intended as a set. You don’t want to be the one to keep the lovers apart, do you?

"Late-Night Chat is Filled with Dreams" Mug Set x Yayoi Kusama This dreamy pair would make a lovely gift for couples, roommates, or anyone who could use a matching set of mugs. Made in collaboration with Yayoi Kusama, they’re perfect for containing comforting drinks while you and a companion discuss art, the universe, and everything in between.

"All the Love" Coin Purse x Frances Cannon This sweet little coin purse deserves all of the love. The illustration and lettering are by queer artist Frances Cannon, whose work examines being a woman in contemporary times. Peruse our other products by Cannon for more positive vibes, tender drawings, and thoughtful takes on self-love, sexuality, and identity.

Gay Pins Celebrate queer love with our Gaypin’ collection! These funky enamel pins are so bright, colorful, and proud, you just can’t help but smile when you wear one. Customer favorites include the SHE-Haul, Tom of Finland Leather Jacket, and the cheeky riff on Jeff Koons’s work, Ballooner. They all pair great with any of the other pins in our treasure trove of a selection.

No. 7, Adulthood Socks We’re over the moon for these pretty-in-pink socks that feature Hilma af Klint’s “No. 7, Adulthood” from her Paintings for the Temple series. A wonderful gift for astrology enthusiasts and art historians alike, this masterpiece is ready to hop off the gallery wall into your wardrobe. Visit the store for more wearable adaptations of art history’s greatest hits!

"Conscience of the Art World" Scarf x Guerrilla Girls Snuggle up in this ultra-soft cashmere sports scarf designed in collaboration with our favorite artist-activist collective. The bold print and black-and-pink color scheme make it the perfect punk rock Valentine’s present for the activists you love. For more ferocious gift ideas, shop our Guerrilla Girls collection.

Black & White Keith Haring Tray Demonstrate your appreciation for the one you love (and their superb taste in art) by serving them breakfast in bed on this extremely stylish K.Haring Tray! The spacious surface isn’t just a convenient platform for tasty treats: it’s a canvas for Haring’s pared-down palette and thought-provoking imagery. Check out the rest of our Keith Haring collection to experience his art at a higher level.

Helen Frankenthaler Notecards We thought these were cooler than what Hallmark’s offering. This sublime set showcases 10 vivid paintings by Abstract Expressionist Helen Frankenthaler. While they’re not exactly Valentine’s-themed, we thought they were more interesting to look at than the cards on the rack at your typical big-box store — some might even say they’re sexier, too.

"Virtues Theologales" Linen Tea Towel x Louise Bourgeois Roughly translated from French, the petals say: “I love you (a little, a lot, passionately, crazily, not at all),” harkening to the classic “loves me, loves me not” game of prediction. Torment yourself deliciously with the possibilities and explore the rest of our Louise Bourgeois collection!

"The Lovers" Enamel Pin The epitome of love in the time of COVID (or whatever tired pun the wits of Twitter have spammed your timeline with) is this miniature adaptation of René Magritte’s 1928 masterpiece. It is such an on-the-nose representation of the surreal year we’ve had that honestly, we’re not ashamed to admit that we’re still not over it. Cliches happen for a reason.

For more art-inspired gifts, books, and home goods, visit the Hyperallergic Store.

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