Art Nerds
There are so many places to observe and appreciate artwork, and yet it’s such a gift to have art in your home, whether it’s an original painting, one of multiple prints, limited edition risographs, lithographs or even artful museum merchandise. Books about different genres, artists, designers, buildings, styles and photographers are another way to immerse ourselves with works of wonder—and learn about the history and politics behind art too. Our Art Nerds gift guide includes all of the above and more for those who make art or marvel at it.
Hero image courtesy of Pomegranate Press
Jen Stark: Uno – Infinite Drip Sneakers
Jen Stark: Uno – Infinite Drip Sneakers
Jen Stark‘s colorful art looks great in many artistic mediums, and now you can wear it on your feet. The Skechers Street x Jen Stark: Uno – Infinite Drip women’s sneaker brings her well known Drip series to shoes featuring the brand’s Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole and visible airbag midsole. The Uno is available in full throttle color (shown) and black and white; a second high top style is also available.
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by Skechers
Pacita Abad Retrospective
Pacita Abad Retrospective
You may not be familiar with the work of Pacita Abad, an accomplished artist whose vibrant trapuntos (quilted paintings) were a signature of her unique style that crossed cultures and blended mediums. Nineteen years after her death she and her work are being celebrated in a thorough retrospective at the Walker Art Museum. This book includes the works in the exhibition as well as numerous new writings and essays about the artist along with additional works, many published for the first time. It’s a feast for the eyes and a fitting celebration of her incredible artistic spirit and talent, which never received the level of awareness it deserves.
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by Walker Art Center
Oyster Plate
Oyster Plate
Hand-built and painted by ceramicist Catherine Rex, the artist and creative behind Rex Design, this Oyster Plate exudes color and charm, courtesy of its ruffled edging and the rich details that make up each of its wells. The plate can hold eight oysters with a divot at the center for garnishes—though it can also be used as a platter for any dips, chips and spreads.
Added: June 2023
This product is sold by Rex Design
Katherine Bernhardt Evolution Tote
Katherine Bernhardt Evolution Tote
Platform’s newest limited edition artist collaboration, the Evolution Tote by Katherine Bernhardt, is now available for presale. Limited to 125 pieces, the tote’s panels feature four recent colorful works from the artist’s solo show at David Zwirner gallery in Hong Kong: “Poncho Pikachu” (2021), “Gengar and Mimikyu Tag Team GX Poltergeist Horror House” (2021), “Vmax Charizard 330” (2021) and “Ditto VMax Ju Ju” (2021). As a bonus, five presale customers, chosen at random, will receive a set of signed Pokémon-inspired cards created by the artist. The sale goes live on 22 June.
Added: June 2023
This product is sold by PLATFORM
Blue 600 Film: Reclaimed Edition
Blue 600 Film: Reclaimed Edition
Blue 600 Film—which yields photographs in a range of blue hues—is the accidental consequence of an experiment at Polaroid’s last ever factory in Enschede, Netherlands. Unlike monochrome or duochrome film, it doesn’t use dye but relies on an unexpected chemical reaction. With a desire to use out-of-spec materials, Polaroid chemist Brian Slaghuis worked with a chemical called TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) and Blue 600 was born. The film delivers varying intensities, creating moody, cinematic images.
Added: April 2023
This product is sold by Polaroid
Oliver Jeffers Irish Seder Plate
Oliver Jeffers Irish Seder Plate
From Brooklyn-based Hayom, an organization blending the values of contemporary art and Judaica, comes a limited edition seder plate designed by acclaimed Irish artist and illustrator Oliver Jeffers. A seder plate is central to the feast at the start of the Passover, a celebration of freedom, family and shared stories. For Hayom’s version, Jeffers looked to an old Irish joke (“Are you a Catholic Jew or a Protestant Jew?”) for inspiration and his art depicts the special foods of Passover substituted with Irish equivalents. Each porcelain plate has been produced in the UK.
Added: March 2023
This product is sold by Hayom
Rose Wylie Hooded Sweatshirt
Rose Wylie Hooded Sweatshirt
Limited to 150 pieces, this collaborative hoodie is adorned with a screenprint of beloved British painter Rose Wylie’s “Black Cat (Bones) (Study)” artwork on the back and her signature along the left sleeve. From the exclusive online art market Platform, known as a trove for captivating works from emerging artists at independent galleries, the comfortable garment is made in the USA and screenprinted in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Added: March 2023
This product is sold by Platform
The Gourmand’s Egg. a Collection of Stories & Recipes
The Gourmand’s Egg. a Collection of Stories & Recipes
Celebrating the link between the culinary and the cultural, The Gourmand’s Egg. a collection of Stories & Recipes explores the social significance of eggs. From appearing in Egyptian mythology to becoming an icon of religious purity in Piero della Francesca’s Brera Madonna, its symbolism in feminist art and more, the egg is omnipresent. Weaving together art history, photography, recipes and essays, this first volume of TASCHEN’s collaboration with award-winning journal The Gourmand is equal parts delectable and fascinating.
Added: March 2023
This product is sold by TASCHEN
“1” Print
“1” Print
Originally an airbrushed painting, this risograph print from skateboarder, activist and artist Jeffrey Cheung is a touching depiction of three nude figures embracing. Printed by Cheung himself, the limited edition artwork (which measures 10.35 by 12.75 inches) celebrates queer identities playfully and tenderly.
Added: March 2023
This product is sold by Jeffrey Cheung
Tiles Gift Wrap
Tiles Gift Wrap
From home goods store Golden Rule comes Tiles Gift Wrap, wrapping paper featuring artist Isabelle Feliu’s hand-painted repeat pattern. Subtly hued, the paper measures around 19 by 28 inches and is crafted from FSC-certified stock with vegetable-based ink.
Added: March 2023
This product is sold by Golden Rule
Eight-Color Crayon
Eight-Color Crayon
Designed and manufactured in Japan by stationery brand Hightide (founded in Fukuoka in 1994), this non-toxic wax crayon includes eight colors in one instrument. Choose from pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black or purple and let the creativity flow.
Added: February 2023
This product is sold by Hightide
Lil’ Paint Brush Set
Lil’ Paint Brush Set
From women-owned, San Diego-based arts and crafts brand Ooly comes the Lil’ Paint Brush set, intended for kids aged three and over. The set of seven colorful brushes includes different sizes of various types—flat, filbert, round and angled—which will spark creativity in little ones.
Added: February 2023
This product is sold by Ooly
A GIFT
A GIFT
Bringing together artwork and words from children around the world, A GIFT is a heartwarming, humorous and at points heartbreaking book. Included are paintings from South Africa’s Cyrene Mission, art collected in the 1930s from New York’s Children’s Museum of the Arts and more, altogether creating a compendium that serves as a reminder of the wondrous perspective unique to children. Price is in Pounds.
Added: February 2023
This product is sold by The Redstone Press
Heart Cards
Heart Cards
Visual artist Ifeoma Orjiekwe’s heart-shaped faces adorn the exterior of these greeting cards from Heart n Soul, a visual arts company and non-profit that employs individuals with learning disabilities. Available in sets of two (in red or blue and orange), each card has a blank interior and comes with an envelope. Price is in Pounds.
Added: February 2023
This product is sold by Heart N Soul
“How Can We Lose When We’re So Sincere?” Print
“How Can We Lose When We’re So Sincere?” Print
LA-based artist Rosson Crow’s vibrant “How Can We Lose When We’re So Sincere?” screen print was made using a six-color process serigraph on Cougar White Super Smooth paper. It overflows with iconography, florals, fruit and swathes of colors, a lush foreground that complements and contradicts the work’s mournful titular question. Available in an edition of 50, each piece is signed by the artist.
Added: February 2023
This product is sold by Rosson Crow
“Bad Hands” Print (Night Pink)
“Bad Hands” Print (Night Pink)
LA-based artist Rob Sato’s Bad Hands series is composed of hand-printed lithographs in various colorways. Essentially a chart of hand and finger configurations (some of which are impossible), the print is on Cougar cover stock paper and is available in an edition of 60.
Added: January 2023
This product is sold by Rob Sato
Dream AI Art App
Dream AI Art App
Created by Canadian artificial intelligence company WOMBO, Dream is an AI-powered app that converts text to painted art when given a prompt and preferred style. Available on iOS with a monthly subscription starting at $5, the intuitive algorithm explores AI’s ability to bring words to life.
Added: January 2023
This product is sold by WOMBO
No Trespassing Calendar
No Trespassing Calendar
Featuring work by acclaimed 12 artists, the “No Trespassing” calendar aims to raise money for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. Printed in an edition of 500, the spiral-bound calendar includes pieces by Faith Ringgold, Marilyn Minter, Louise Bourgeois, Jenny Holzer, LaKela Brown, Fumiko Imano, Maggie Lee, Catherine Opie, Farah Al Qasimi, Janiva Ellis, Ana Mendieta and Lauren Greenfield. All profits will be donated.
Added: January 2023
This product is sold by HOMME Girls
The Practice of Art and AI
The Practice of Art and AI
In partnership with Ars Electronica, the European ARTificial Intelligence Lab plumbs the relationship between art and science in The Practice of Art and AI. The book explores the rapid development of AI art and revisits the exhibitions and projects since the lab’s opening, with new insight, interviews and supplementary material. It makes for a thought-provoking meditation on art and technology.
Added: December 2022
This product is sold by Hatje Cantz
Blue Dogs Tea Towel
Blue Dogs Tea Towel
An ode to canine companions, this 100% cotton Blue Dogs Tea Towel features dog illustrations by artists who are part ARTHOUSE Unlimited, a UK-based non-profit that represents creatives who are neuro-diverse and/or have physical support needs. Each artist drew a pet’s portrait in blue pencil, creating a delightful print of all types of dogs. Plus, 100% of the proceeds from sales of the charming but practical product go back to the charity. Price is in Pounds.
Added: December 2022
This product is sold by Arthouse Unlimited
Shape Stamps
Shape Stamps
Designer and illustrator Rilla Alexander’s heartwarming forms and bold colors spur imagination in children and adults alike. Her stamp kit, a collection of geometric beech wood stamps with colorful ink pads, offers a glimpse behind her process and it invites others to build their own characters, landscapes and objects. Much like the designer’s work, the kit sparks creativity.
Added: December 2022
This product is sold by Rilla Alexander
Queer Tarot: An Inclusive Deck and Guidebook
Queer Tarot: An Inclusive Deck and Guidebook
Featuring the design and artwork of the queer and trans artist team Ash + Chess, this 78-card tarot deck is a vibrant, affirming and inclusive set with depictions based on real LGBTQ+ people of different sizes, abilities, races and sexual orientations. Alongside it is a helpful guidebook that includes descriptions, suggested readings and the history for each card. It all comes in a magnetic keepsake box, along with a travel case.
Added: December 2022
This product is sold by Ash + Chess
Pipe Party Workshop
Pipe Party Workshop
Pipe Party is LA’s first pipe-making workshop from inclusive ceramic studio POT. Open to all skill levels, the class features step-by-step instructions on making and decorating pipes and all the necessary accomanying instruments. It’s a fun, creative way to celebrate cannabis—with the class being BYOB as well as BYOC.
Added: December 2022
This product is sold by POT
Kehinde Wiley Tiled Silk Pajama Set
Kehinde Wiley Tiled Silk Pajama Set
Artware Editions transforms the vibrant beauty of Kehinde Wiley’s paintings into sophisticated silk pajamas that support Black Rock Senegal, Wiley’s artist residency program bringing creatives together in Dakar. The set features a tapestry comprised of four of Wiley’s works which depict Black and brown men in cross-cultural nationalistic poses, surrounded by lush landscapes.
Added: November 2022
This product is sold by Artware Editions
“Do Not Fuck About With It” Print
“Do Not Fuck About With It” Print
David Shrigley—a multi-disciplinary artist whose off-kilter and humorous work captures the quotidian and disquieting—focuses on climate change in his aptly titled print “Do Not Fuck About With It.” Printed on Munken Lynx poster paper, this print comes in an edition of 250 and features a hand holding the globe with the title of the piece across the top.
Added: November 2022
This product is sold by David Shrigley
