STAFF PICKS

It's true that there's no real function to David Shrigley's Swan, but it aligns with our sense of humor and we just couldn't resist. It's the right size to place anywhere in your home -- side table, coffee table, bathroom, shelf -- and is one of our favorites for gifting. Each example is initialed by the artist and labeled on the bottom.

Barbara Kruger says of the collaboration:

This project has been a wonderful opportunity to work with Aalto’s classic piece of modernist furniture, while at the same time supporting the ICA, the first institution that offered me a one-person show of my work in 1983. I was honored, a bit intimidated, but hugely thrilled by both the ICA and the complex and vital city that was, is, and will always be London. The memory of that exhibition, the wonderful space, the excitement and buzz of the ICA’s program of visuality and intellectually rigorous public programming, its bookstore and crazily cool cafe, will never fade in my mind.

Using the traditional Chinese art of the papercut, Ai Weiwei’s Cats and Dogs reflects on a decisive period in the artist’s life and work: from his return to Beijing in 1993 after a decade-long stay in New York to building his renowned Caochangdi home and studio on the Beijing outskirts in 1999. At the center of the papercut, he gives the finger to the Forbidden City, effectively obscuring the portrait of Mao Zedong that presides over Tiananmen Square. This motif is from a 1995 photo- graph that marked the beginning of his series Studies of Perspective, in which his outstretched middle finger measured the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa, the White House, and many other sights and non-sites around the world. Another famil- iar trope of Ai’s Beijing years was the word “FUCK,” which he sunburned into his chest for a photo piece and installed as a huge neon sign in his garden. Ai’s Chinese company is named FAKE—pronounced closely to “fuck” in Chinese.

In this period, Ai developed two iconoclastic groups of works with Neolithic vases or antique Ming (1368 –1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) furniture. Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola Logo (1994)—of which two versions can be seen in the papercut—brands a historical artifact with the trademark of contemporary capitalism. “The Coca-Cola logo is a clear announcement of property, and of cultural or political identity,” Ai says. “But it is also a clear sign to stop thinking. It’s full of ignorance, but it’s also a redefinition.” He also joined Ming and Qing Dynasty tables into sculptural permutations such as Table with Two Legs on the Wall (1997; upper right), Table with Crossed Corners (1998; lower right), Table with Three Legs (1998; lower left), and Tables at Right Angles (1998; upper right). All carpentry was done using traditional mortise and tenon techniques, fitting the pieces together without nails or glue. “We took great care with the cutting and sanding to make sure the patina of the furniture looked untouched,” Ai explains. “Even an expert would be con- fused because everything is so perfect.” Among these tables, Stool (1997; middle left) stands out as the poor cousin. It is composed of a pair of three-legged stools, ubiquitous to every Chinese household, sharing a leg.

Ai Weiwei’s cats, numbering over forty, have become famous in their own right. Among other animals, including dogs, peacocks, and hedgehogs, they freely roam his studio and garden at 258 Caochangdi, and are inscrutable fixtures in thousands of selfies with visitors from all around the world. A short film, 258 Cats, was made about them in 2013.

‘Women Are Heroes’ is a project launched by JR to tell the stories of those who are often the first to be harmed in situations of conflict: women. By revealing the unspoken grief of these unsung heroes, JR explores the commonalities that exist in their gaze, and ultimately seeks to discover what unifies us all is humanity. Despite the harshness they have endured, he exposes the light and hope that still exists within them.

When the project launched, JR promised to share their stories with the world – a promise he has since kept, and that we are grateful to continue through the release of these editions.

Our partners at The Skateroom, who collaborated with the artist's estate to make this edition, donate a significant part of their profit to support social initiatives that make the world a better place. 

E for Effort has done it again with Eraser jewelry. The duo behind E for Effort, artists Beka Goedde and Rachel Ostrow, have created a series of objects that is both nostalgic and timeless. These playful earrings made with real eraser heads are available in pink, red or green and mounted in sterling silver. A matching ring is also available. You can learn more about Beka and Rachel's work by visiting their websites: www.bekagoedde.com and www.rachelostrow.com.

This Limoges porcelain tray features a detail from Jean-MIchel Basquiat's work Untitled (1981) and comes in a custom gift box. It's a perfect size for a catchall or cookies.  The verso shows details about the plate and the artist's stamped signature. Fabricated in Limoges, France in collaboration with the artist's estate.

In the early 1980s, Sol LeWitt and his family bought a rustic farmhouse in Spoleto, Italy. While in Rome looking for new dishes, he and his wife, Carol, discovered that the maiolica pottery they so admired was made locally, almost in their backyard, in Deruta, Italy. The craftspeople in Deruta were continuing the more than 600 year old tradition of creating maiolica, a technique of applying a glossy base glaze whitened with tin oxide onto fired clay pottery. Vivid, hand-painted colors are then added and the pieces are fired again.

LeWitt designed his own dinnerware in Deruta and these same pieces are available through Artware Editions in the full range of colors the artist intended. Each piece is made by hand by the same artisans who for generations have kept this proud and classic Italian tradition alive. This dinnerware is lead-free and dishwasher safe.

If we do not already have it in stock the fabrication time is approximately 12 weeks.

This four-panel leather kippah features a digital print of the Star of David designed by Sol LeWitt.

In 2001, LeWitt co-designed the Connecticut synagogue Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek with architect Stephen Lloyd. The synagogue tried repeatedly to translate the radiant, geometric design the artist made for the ark doors into the convex form of a yarmulke. When the design was finally achieved it sold out almost instantly and since then there have been six more editions including this one which is the 7th and final. Each edition varied in trim color and the color of the inside fabric, but all shared the same six-pointed star design, a common motif in the late artist's work. The 7th edition design features a bright blue trim and a gray interior with the edition details in gold lettering. It is an open edition.

The design for Loose Leaf apparel is based on the widely-known loose leaf notebook paper that has a simple white background with blue horizontal lines and a red margin line. E for Effort turned this nostalgic design into a screen-print and hand-prints each piece of apparel. Screen-printing by nature is a slow and deliberate process where variations and imperfections are expected and welcome. Each piece of apparel is unique and can be left as is or become an interactive “canvas” for writings, drawings or otherwise.

Machine washable. Available in totes, kids & babies, women’s, and men’s.

E for Effort is a collaborative duo consisting of artists Beka Goedde and Rachel Ostrow, both of whom consider printmaking a vital part of their individual artistic practices. Both artists currently live and work in Brooklyn, NY and have been collaborating since 2009. You can learn more about each artist's work by visiting their websites: www.bekagoedde.com and www.rachelostrow.com.

Keith Haring's solid wood white rocker depicts his well-known "radiant baby" image as an adorable, rocker great for toddler's aged 2 or older.  

The Broken Juice Glass is a limited edition set of four different glasses conceived by Roy McMakin, exclusively for Artware Editions. For this edition, the artist has taken the simplicity of four small glasses and imposed on them a complex reworking of the aphorisms “THINGS CHANGE” and “CHANGE THINGS”. Because of their transparency and shape, McMakin is able to use the seriality of the glasses to play out a conceptual progression: the first glass is clear, on the second the phrasing is shown in its entirety on the front of the glass, and on the third and fourth the text is printed in a band around the glass but appears to be illegible. One must perfectly line up the fragmented text (a greater challenge from the third to the fourth) from the front through to the back of these to make sense of the parts. When the glasses are full, the front text appears incoherent but as the glass empties things change and all is clear.

McMakin’s art practice explores how functionality influences meaning within the medias of sculpture, photography, design, and architecture. He has had recent solo exhibitions at such prestigious venues as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Henry Art Gallery, Seattle; and Matthew Marks Gallery, New York. He lives and works in Seattle.

This limited edition lenticular by Ligorano/Reese shifts between the words "AFTER" and "THOUGHT" in bright blue and orange text. It is the first piece in Edges, a series of lenticular panels animating words concerned with the limits of space and time.

Take a look at it in action:

There’s not much to be said about this best-selling, classic snow globe design from the duo Ligorano/Reese. It’s the perfect gift for many occasions.

Each setting within each set of eight (dinner plates, salad plates or pasta bowls) shows a star with a different number of points beginning with a 3-point star and going up to a 10-point star. For example, when you purchase a set of eight dinner plates, each plate will have a differently numbered star. If you purchase a complete service of 8 settings (24 pieces total), you will receive 8 matching settings showing 8 different stars. The thumbnails to the left show a 5-point setting, a 10-point setting and a 4-point setting. Our stock is constantly changing, so please give us a call if you're looking for pieces that are immediately available.

In the early 1980s, Sol LeWitt and his family bought a rustic farmhouse in Spoleto, Italy. While in Rome looking for new dishes, he and his wife, Carol, discovered that the maiolica pottery they so admired was made locally, almost in their backyard, in Deruta, Italy. The craftspeople in Deruta were continuing the more than 600 year old tradition of creating maiolica, a technique of applying a glossy base glaze whitened with tin oxide onto fired clay pottery. Vivid, hand-painted colors are then added and the pieces are fired again.

LeWitt designed his own dinnerware in Deruta and these same pieces are now available through Artware Editions in the full range of colors the artist intended. Each piece is made by hand by the same artisans who for generations have kept this proud and classic Italian tradition alive. This dinnerware is lead-free and dishwasher safe.

If we do not already have it in stock the fabrication time is approximately 12 weeks.

This incredible opportunity to own a Josef Albers edition comes in the form of five beautiful tapestry designs made in association with the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation.  Each design is adapted from an original oil-on-masonite study for one of the artist's Homage to the Square paintings and is made of high-quality hand-woven Aubusson wool.  The tapestries are not backed or framed but can be easily mounted to be framed or simply hung on the wall.  Each of the five available designs is in a limited edition of just 10 examples and is fabricated upon order.  Please allow 8 to 10 weeks for fabrication time plus time in transit.

Petite Vénus Bleue (1956/57) by Yves Klein features a brass pin covered in International Klein Bleue (IKB) pigment and shaped as one of Klein's Vénus Bleue figures. The pin is mounted perpendicularly to a gold-leafed, acrylic backdrop that attaches to a gold-leafed acrylic base. The acrylic box that encloses the object is not attached and the top can be removed.

This work is from an edition of 100 artist proofs and each example features the etched edition number on the back of the pin. The multiple was published by his estate under T.A.T Arts & Stéphane Klein with whom we work directly.

These beautiful serving trays feature some of Malin's most iconic works paired with exceptional product design.  Whether you using it to serve your guests at your next cocktail party or simply as a decorative piece, it will become a beautiful centerpiece of your home that naturally absorbs light, making the imagery glow almost magically. 

E for Efforts Twist Tie Ring is sterling silver and each size is a unique shape cast from an original mold designed by the artists. The duo behind E for Effort, artists Beka Goedde and Rachel Ostrow, have created a series of objects that is both nostalgic and timeless. Their collection includes eraser head earrings and rings, as well as notebook paper tees and totes among others. You can learn more about Beka and Rachel's work by visiting their websites: www.bekagoedde.com and www.rachelostrow.com.

Designed in collaboration with the artist's estate, this beautifully crafted lacquered tray features a black and red optical design by Victor Vasarely. Vasarely is widely regarded as the father of the Op Art movement, a short-lived but influential movement in the mid 1900s. This tray features a design of black, white and red on a black lacquered tray. The artist's signature is featured both on the side and bottom.

The tray comes in a black cotton satchel and cardboard box which presents beautifully for a great gift.

From a collaboration between E for Effort and BKLYN Clay comes this ceramic Banorah that was slip cast by hand in Brooklyn. Neither the banana nor the joke will ever get old. It’s basically a miracle!