Holiday Gift Guide for the Art Lover in Your Life

December 9, 2019

Looking for the perfect art-inspired gifts this holiday season? From museum memberships and accessories, to books and home decor, our holiday gift guide has something for everyone on your list!

FOR THE MUSEUM-LOVER

Give the gift that keeps giving! Annual memberships at SFMOMA start at just $100 and include many added benefits (Image Courtesy of SFMOMA).

Art Memberships
SFMOMA Memberships From $120.00
Museum memberships offer year-long enjoyment and education, and are a great way to provide invaluable support to your local arts communities.

Also, please consider supporting not-for-profit arts organizations in your community. Below are just a few examples:

New York — Artist’s Space / Creative Time / White Columns / Artadia
Los Angeles — LAX Art / Art & Practice / Underground Museum
San Francisco — CCA Wattis / Southern Exposure / The Lab / Headlands Center for the Arts / First Exposures

FOR YOUR FAVORITE FOODIE

Satisfy your espresso cravings with this beautiful Jorge Pardo cup and saucer set (Image Courtesy of Artware Editions).

Jorge Pardo Cup and Saucer Set
Retail: $785.00
Add an artful twist to your loved ones’ daily espresso respite with this set of glazed cups and saucers designed by Jorge Pardo. Titled after the famous Mexican factory Cerámica Suro, this beautiful limited edition set of fourteen is perfect for serving post-holiday dinner espresso and hot cocoa.

This limited edition pitcher by Kara Walker is available for purchase online at MOCA Store (Image Courtesy of MOCA LA).

Kara Walker Pitcher
Retail: $721.00
Everything tastes better when served from a porcelain pitcher by Kara Walker. Featuring two of Walker’s unmistakable  silhouettes, this limited edition pitcher is accompanied by a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity issued by Bernardaud.

This set of 10 bold dinner napkins by Kate Shepherd will add an artful twist to any holiday party (Image Courtesy of WeR2).

Bold Dinner Napkins by Kate Shepherd
Retail: $300.00
Add a subtle flare to any dinner party with this set of 10 dinner napkins designed by the master of sleek geometric minimalism, Kate Shepard.

FOR THE FASHION-FORWARD

Drape yourself in this wearable work of art depicting one of Tara Donovan’s Slinky Abstractions (Image courtesy of WeR2).

Tara Donovan Scarf
Retail: $298.00
Drape yourself in this elegant, wearable work of art by celebrated contemporary artist Tara Donovan. Depicting one of Donovan’s Slinky abstractions, this lightweight and oversized scarf  is perfect for all seasons.

This fun and floral pocket square by Donald Sultan will add a pop of color to any outfit (Image Courtesy of Artware Editions). 

Donald Sultan Tied Up in Flora Pocket Square
Retail: $60.00
Add a pop of color to any outfit with this elegant silk pocket square interpreted from 28 Flowers, one of Donald Sultan’s many beautiful and iconic pop-based works.

These sterling silver cufflinks by Damien Hirst are available online at Gagosian Shop (Image Courtesy of Gagosian). 

Damien Hirst Pill Cufflinks 
Retail: $350.00
Engraved with the “Hirst/Hirst” logo and presented in a black box with a satin interior, these sterling silver cufflinks are the perfect gift for the Hirst fan in your life.

Available online at Hauser & Wirth, these stunning Louise Bourgeois Spiral Woman earrings are perfect for the fashionista in your family (Image Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth and Simone Rocha).

Louise Bourgeois Spiral Woman Earrings 
Retail: $440.00
Inspired by Louise Bourgeois’s Spiral Woman, 2003, these stunning 24k gold plated earrings were designed exclusively for Hauser & Wirth by internationally renowned fashion designer Simone Rocha. An edition of 250, each pair of earrings is stamped with the edition number.

Give the gift of fragrance this holiday season, with Anicka Yi’s new line of perfumes entitled Biography (Image Courtesy of Anicka Yi and Gladstone Gallery).

Anicka Yi Biography Fragrance 
Retail: $250.00
Titled Biography, Anicka Yi’s series consists of three scents developed with longtime collaborator and master perfumer Barnabé Fillion. Each is a tribute to a female figure and intends to challenge traditional notions of femininity—a running theme in Yi’s practice.

FOR THE HOMEBODY

This holiday candle by Keith Haring will have every room smelling like a warm apple pie (Image Courtesy of Artware Editions). 

Keith Haring Candle 
Retail: $75.00
Inspired by Keith Haring’s iconic figures, this candle brings the scent and merriment of the holiday season to any room. Once burned, the porcelain vessel can be reused for storage or decoration.

Stay cozy this season with this pure wool sheep blanket by Julian Opie (Image Courtesy of Julian Opie).

Julian Opie Sheep Blanket 
Retail: $550.00
Make counting sheep simple with this 100% wool blanket by celebrated British artist, Julian Opie. Whether you’re curling up on the couch or cozying under the stars, this throw is sure to keep you warm.

Bring the Bauhaus to your home with a Josef Albers Homage to the Square rug (Image Courtesy of the Josef and Annie Albers Foundation).

Homage to the Square Rug by Josef Albers 
Retail: $1,150.00
Bring the Bauhaus to your home with this beautiful hand-tufted wool rug, adapted from the 1951 oil on masonite painting by Josef Albers.  A limited edition of 150, this stunning piece is produced in associated with the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation.

FOR THE JOKESTER

Keep your spirits light this winter with this goofy set of socks by David Shrigley. Available at Artware Editions (Image Courtesy of Third Drawer Down).

David Shrigley Socks 
Retail: $58.00
David Shrigley never disappoints when it comes to finding humor in daily life and this set of socks is no exception. Unisex and one size fits all, this set is the perfect gift for those who need a reminder to not take life too seriously.

This limited edition kaleidoscope by Yinka Shonibare is available online at Artware Editions (Image Courtesy of Artware Editions).

Kaleidoscope by Yinka Shonibare 
Retail: $3,250.00
Decorated in the beautiful Dutch wax batik patterns the artist is known for and accented with highly polished brass, this colorful gift will serve as a childhood time-warp for any adult.

Available online at LACMA, this Louise Bourgeois silk eye mask is the perfect gift for the light sleeper in your life (Image Courtesy of LACMA).

Louise Bourgeois Silk Eye Mask 
Retail: $24.00
Need some shut-eye? This goofy silk eye mask is perfect for the light sleeper in your life. Inspired by Louise Bourgeois, who was an insomniac for most of her life, the mask features an image of her own eyes, giving you the wise and watchful eyes of the iconic artist while you sleep.

FOR THE ACTIVIST

Handmade in the UK by Fine Cell Work, a charity that runs rehabilitation programs in British prisons, this Geta Brătescu collage cushion is available for purchase online at Hauser & Wirth (Image Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth). 

Geta Brătescu Collage Cushion 
Retail: $160.00
Gift comfort and give back with this beautiful pink and yellow Geta Brătescu throw pillow. Each cushion is handmade in the UK by Fine Cell Work, a charity that runs rehabilitation programs in British prisons, boosting self-worth and fostering self-discipline by training prisoners in highly skilled needlework.

Available at Gagosian Shop online, this Artists for Azuero plate set is perfect for the eco-warrior in your life (Image Courtesy of Gagosian). 

Artists for Azuero Plate Set 
Retail: $850.00
Looking to spread environmental awareness along with holiday cheer? Designed by Teresita Fernandez, April Gornik, Mary Heilmann, Maya Lin, Richard Prince, and Ed Ruscha, each of these six beautiful bone china dinner plates features imagery inspired by the natural world. Proceeds for this limited edition set benefit the Azuero Earth Project, a nonprofit devoted to reforestation, habitat restoration, and sustainable land management.

Spread light and joy with Olafur Eliasson’s Little Sun Diamond Lamp (Image Courtesy of Tate).

Little Sun Diamond Lamp by Olafur Eliasson 
Retail: $32.00
Give the gift of light this season with Olafur Eliasson’s Little Sun Diamond Lamp. The Icelandic teamed up with engineer Frederic Ottesen to create this new design as part of their project to bring sustainable, accessible light to the world.  Every purchase makes it possible for Little Suns to be sold in communities without electricity at a locally affordable price.

Judy Chicago coasters based on The Dinner Party. Available for purchase at Jessica Silverman Gallery.

Coasters by Judy Chicago 
Retail: $24.00
Based on the ceramic plates Judy Chicago created for her iconic feminist art installation The Dinner Party, this set of four corkboard coasters, each commemorating an important woman in history, will look beautiful as they protect coffee table surfaces.

FOR THE OBJECT-OBSESSED

Give the gift of Kusama with these pumpkin-motif objects at the MoMA Design Store (Image Courtesy of MoMA). 

Kusama Pumpkins
Retail: $280.00
Can’t get enough of Yayoi Kusama? These lacquer-painted resin objects, modeled after one of Kusama’s most famous artworks, will bring a bright pop of whimsy and cheerfulness to any desk or bookshelf.

Limited edition Balloon Rabbit porcelain sculpture by Jeff Koons is available for purchase at Gagosian Shop (Image Courtesy of Gagosian).

Jeff Koons Balloon Rabbit 
Retail: $13,000.00
What do you buy for the art lover that has everything? How about a limited edition Jeff Koons porcelain sculpture inspired by his iconic Celebration Series.

Add a little spunk to your life with these limited edition hand-beaded Microfreaks by The Haas Brothers (Image Courtesy of The Haas Brothers and Sotheby’s).

Haas Brothers Microfreaks 
Retail: $1,500.00 (each)
Give the gift of quirk and curiosity with The Haas Brother’s Microfreaks.  Created in the artist duo’s distinct eccentric style, each of the colorful limited-edition sculptures are hand-beaded with Venetian and Czech glass beads.

This hysterically oversized Brass Tooth by David Shrigley is available for purchase at Artware Editions (Image Courtesy of Artware Editions).

David Shrigley Brass Tooth
Retail: $3,500.00 
A perfect paperweight or tabletop sculpture, this comically exaggerated brass tooth by David Shrigley will have everyone showing their pearly whites.

FOR THE CHILD AT HEART

This Andy Warhol Soup Can Chess Set is available for purchase online at the New Museum Shop (Image Courtesy of New Museum).

Andy Warhol Soup Can Chess Set 
Retail: $500.00
Give game night a pop art twist with this Andy Warhol x Kidrobot chess set. Featuring the artist’s iconic Campbell Soup Cans as game pieces, this funky limited edition collaboration will add color to any collection.

Untitled (Music Box), 2005, by Christian Marclay (Image Courtesy of Artware Editions).

Untitled (Music Box) by Christian Marclay
Retail: $825.00
Designed by Christian Marclay for the 2005 Peter Norton Family Christmas Project, this music box plays an original festive composition by the artist, entitled Tinsel, making it the perfect stocking stuffer for your loved one.

This Yellow Trees Skateboard Deck Triptych by Yayoi Kusama is available online at the MoMA Design Store (Image Courtesy of MoMA). 

Yayoi Kusama Skateboard Decks 
Retail: $500.00
This best-selling set of three Canadian maple wood Yayoi Kusama skateboard decks features details from Kusama’s YELLOW TREES, 1994.  A great gift for young art lovers, skater kids, or Kusama fanatics.

FOR THE EDITIONS ENTHUSIAST

This set of four pint glasses by Nick Cave is available online at Artadia (Image Courtesy of Artadia). 

Nick Cave Pint Glasses (Set of 4)
Retail: $300.00
This set of pint glasses feature four of Nick Cave’s famed Soundsuits. Originally a response to the Rodney King riots, the Soundsuits are meant to empower and serve as a protective armor or shield against hate and violence.  

Buy this limited-edition set and give back to Artadia, a national nonprofit organization that identifies innovative visual artists and supports them with unrestricted financial awards and connections to a network of opportunities.

John Baldessari’s Whiskey in the Jar, 2018, is among the works featured in his Emoji Series (Image Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L).

John Baldessari’s Emojis
From $5,000.00
Playing upon the popularity of these 21st century images, John Baldessari’s Emoji Series prints at Gemini G.E.L. are perfect for the phone-obsessed friend.

To check out other new editions visit: ULAE / Mixografia / Pace Prints / White Columns

FOR THE BOOKWORM

This comprehensive monograph covering two decades of Amy Sillman’s career is available for purchase online at Lund Humphries (Image Courtesy of Lund Humphries). 

Amy Sillman $49.99
A prolifically creative artistic polymath, American artist Amy Sillman works in drawing, zines, iPhone videos, installation, collaboration, teaching and curating, but painting has remained always at the very heart of her practice. This comprehensive monograph covers two decades of production, from the late-1990s to the present.

Charles Gaines: Palm Trees and Other Works is available online at Hauser & Wirth (Image Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth). 

Charles Gaines: Palm Trees and Other Works $50.00
Published alongside Charles Gaines’s 2019–20 exhibition at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, this monograph charts the evolution of the palm tree in Gaines’s work from the 1980s to the present. 

Additional Book Recommendations: