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.
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“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
One of life’s universal truths is that you can never have too many mugs, and this dreamy pair would make a lovely gift for couples, roommates, or anyone who could use a matching set. Made in collaboration with Yayoi Kusama, they’re perfect for containing warm, comforting drinks while you and a companion have pensive conversations about art, the universe, and everything in between.
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, these seamless combed cotton masterpieces are ready to hop off the gallery wall and straight into your wardrobe. Visit the store for more wearable adaptations of art history’s greatest hits!
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.
“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 multidisciplinary 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.
“Conscience of the Art World” Scarf x Guerrilla Girls
Snuggle up in this ultra-soft cashmere sports scarf designed in collaboration with everyone’s favorite collective of anonymous intersectional feminist artist-activists! The bold print and black-and-pink color scheme make it the perfect punk rock Valentine’s present for the activists you know and love. For more ferocious gift ideas, shop our Guerrilla Girls collection.
Helen Frankenthaler Notecards
We thought these were cooler than what Hallmark’s offering. This sublime set of 20 notecards showcases 10 of Abstract Expressionist Helen Frankenthaler’s vivid paintings. While they’re not exactly Valentine’s-themed, we thought they were way more interesting to look at than what you’ll find on the typical big-box store rack — some might even say they’re sexier, too.
“Virtues Theologales” Tea Towel x Louise Bourgeois
Someone has scribbled all over this tea towel’s delicate flower! Louise, we’re looking at you. 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 endless iterations of) is this enamel 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. Remember, folks: cliches happen for a reason.
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For more art-inspired gifts, books, and home goods, visit the Hyperallergic Store.
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