Art shopping in Asia
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Beijing Arts & Crafts Central Store
It’s a bit of a tourist trap, for both Chinese and Westerners, but this centrally located store (with a sign outside saying ‘Artistic Mansion’) does have a huge selection of potential purchases for anyone hunting for gifts or souvenirs. It’s well known for its jade (with certificates of authenticity), jadeite, cloisonné vases, carpets and other Chinese arts and crafts. There’s also jewellery (gold, silver, jade and pearl) on the first two floors. You’ll find calligraphy, lacquerware, paintings, seals and woodcarvings on the 3rd floor. Head to the 4th floor for jade carvings.
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Axis
Salivate over some of Japan’s most innovative interior design at this high-end design complex. Of the 16-odd galleries and retail shops selling art books, cutting-edge furniture and other objets d’art, highlights include Nuno, whose innovative fabrics incorporating objects from feathers to washi appear in New York’s Museum of Modern Art; Living Motif, with three floors of soothing, contemporary design (both Japanese and international) from cushions to candle holders; and Le Garage, with gear and accessories for motor-racing enthusiasts.
reviewed
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Blue & White
Amy Katoh, the expat American behind this small crafts store, sells traditional and contemporary items such as tenugui, indigo-dyed yukata (light cotton kimono), bolts of nubby cloth, and painted chopsticks. Pick through tiny dishes of ceramic beads or collect bundled-up swatches of fabric for your own crafty creations. Katoh’s inspiration is the chubby, cherubic Japanese good-luck goddess Otafuku, who smiles from every corner of the shop.
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Small Small Museum
Hidden behind el Willy is this eccentric Japanese shop, which rents out 12in-by-12in boxes to Shànghǎi artists and designers. It’s as much a study in personalities as it is a place to shop for gifts – some people cram their box full, others choose to highlight just one or two creations. Items on sale range from the hokey (Shànghǎi pet photos) to the unusual (kimono fabrics) to the quotidian (candles).
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E
Kyūkyodō
Gorgeous traditional Japanese paper and note cards welcome you to the ground floor of this store in business since the early Edo Period (the current building is 20th century). Upstairs art is sold on shikishi (cardboard canvases), alongside hanging scrolls to display them. Should you want to try your own art, there are traditional brushes and ink stones, even incense for inspiration.
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F
Duoyunxuan Art Shop
A multistorey, traditional-looking building (look for the two enormous calligraphy brushes outside) with an excellent selection of art and calligraphy supplies. The 2nd floor is one of the best places for heavy art books, both international and Chinese, and the 3rd floor houses antiques and some excellent calligraphy and brush-painting galleries. You can get your own chop made here.
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Itōya
Nine floors of stationery-shop love await visual-art professionals and seekers of office accessories from the everyday to luxury (fountain pens, Italian leather agendas). The 6th floor offers more traditional Japanese wares including washi (fine Japanese handmade paper), tenugui (beautifully hand-dyed thin cotton towels) and furoshiki (wrapping cloths).
reviewed
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La Luna Gallery
In the old shophouse row on the east bank of the river, this professional gallery picks a fine bouquet of emerging Southeast Asian artists. Many canvases have a social commentary angle and give the viewer a window into the different artistic styles in the region. The handpainted elephants (1000B) make great gifts.
reviewed
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I
Tessai-dō
While exploring the lovely Nene-no-Michi lane in Higashiyama’s main sightseeing district, you might want to step into this fine little wood-block print shop. This shop specialises in original prints, some of which are quite old. Prices average ¥10,000 per print and the owner will be happy to consult with you about what sort of print you are after.
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J
MICA Building
The rainbow-shuttered colonial MICA Building houses a clutch of quality galleries, including Art-2 Gallery, Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery, Gajah Gallery, Art Mosaic and Soobin Art Gallery, which showcases the best of China’s vibrant avant-garde scene.
reviewed
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K
Tolman Collection
American Norman Tolman has been collecting Japanese print art for 50 years and authored many books on the subject, and his gallery in a traditional building represents some 48 leading Japanese artists of printing, lithography, etchings, wood-blocks and more. Prices aren’t cheap –prints start at around ¥12,000 – but neither is quality.
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Silom Galleria
The only reason to visit this spooky half-deserted mall is for the contemporary Asian art exhibitions hosted by the various galleries inside. To avoid disappointment proceed directly to the back or check the posters in the lobby to see what’s on display at the better galleries such as Thavibu or Tang.
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Onouechikuzaiten
With a name that even residents find hard to pronounce, this fine little specialist store stocks a selection of bamboo crafts. It’s only a few steps away from its main competition, Kagoshin, which allows for easy comparison shopping. Like Kagoshin, it stocks baskets, bamboo vases, decorations and knick-knacks.
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Liúligōngfáng
If you like the decor at TMSK you’ll definitely want to check out this one-of-a-kind crystal-art shop next door, where you can marvel at iridescent cast-glass creations such as a contemplative monk (Y1165) and exquisite earrings (Y600) and pendants (Y520). There are nine branches around town.
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Takumi
Takumi has been around for more than 60 years and has acquired an elegant selection of toys, textiles, ceramics and other traditional folk crafts from around Japan. Ever thoughtful, the shop also encloses information detailing the origin and background of the pieces if you make a purchase.
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Thailand Creative & Design Centre
More impressive than the resident fashionistas is the Thailand Creative & Design Centre, a design museum, with an attached gift shop selling cool souvenirs related to the various exhibits, and a design library.
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Ansa Store
This is the place to come if you want a frame, freshly carved to your specifications, for that painting you bought in Vietnam. This gaudy shop also sells wildly coloured posters and extravagant pictures of religious icons.
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Nishiharu
This is an attractive shop dealing in wood-block prints. All the prints are accompanied by English explanations and the owner is happy to take the time to find something you really like.
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Puppet House
This is a wondrous workshop of functional international marionettes, run by a super-friendly couple who are happy to talk shop. Look for the sign of Punch in an alley near Mizuho Bank.
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Plum Blossoms
The gallery where the late Rudolf Nureyev used to buy his baubles (and other celebrities continue to do so) is one of the most interesting and well established in Hong Kong.
reviewed
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Rongbaozhai
Calligraphy, prints and scroll paintings, as well as paper, ink and brushes, are on offer at this state-run establishment. You can sometimes be given a 10% discount here.
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Utterly Art
Utterly Art has exhibitions that change monthly and sells reasonably priced Southeast Asia art. It specialises in Filipino artists.
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Building
Orissan textiles, including appliqué and ikat works, can be bought around Market Building
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Yúngǔ Curios Shop
A fab little shop selling hand-cut paper art. Grab a paper portrait of Chairman Mao or pick up a Zodiac animal paper cut. There are also many other more intricate designs of phoenixes, swallows and auspicious words. The owner and artist, Wenxiang, doesn't speak much English but if you ask nicely she can do a quick demo of her craft. Located beside Tianhou Temple.
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