Artsy Gifts to Put You in a Romantic Mood

Blue Floral Fan with the printed fan work of Juvenal Sansó.

Tired of the usual flowers and box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, then why not give the gift of art instead? Art gifts are wonderful for a lot of reasons—they are unique, unexpected, and are beautiful to wear or use.

The Fundacion Sansó Museum Shop recently launched its latest collection of art prints and gifts with newscaster Jiego Reyes and lifestyle influencer Treisha Vanns extending their support to the foundation in modeling the new pieces and with Toff Tiozon as the photographer of the photo shoot.

Functioning not only as a gift store for the museum, the Fundacion Sansó Museum Shop is a tool for educating the public about Juvenal Sansó’s work. The shop also partners with other artists, institutions and brands that share the same values for excellence, in turn reaching a wider audience. Most importantly, part of the proceeds benefit the foundation’s charities and Sansó scholars as well.

Fan the Flames of Love

In old times, fans were once a symbol of courtship and were used to send secret messages to lovers across a room. These days, traditional fans or abaniko are mainly used to cool off in warm weather and as fashion accessories. But this time, take it a stylish notch higher by gifting your lady with an elegant Sansó fan. The fans come in charming florals such as the exuberant “Losas Y Flores,” the dreamy, eponymous blue wildflower “Fan” and in the soothing landscape print of “En Es Jardin,” which is from the artist’s Brittany Series.

Have a cuppa as a couple

Freshly brewed coffee is like a hug in a mug, so what better way to enjoy it than in these Sansó Art Mugs? Gift loved ones with printed ceramic his-and-hers mugs — try a Sansó floral En Vase and a Brittany pairing — and throw in matching Sansó coasters to complete the tabletop look. 

Cats Sketch Series t-shirt.

Hit the town in unisex, twinning t-shirts

Since twinning among couples is a thing, why not wear matching Sansó T-shirts? Take your pick of three designs from Juvenal Sansó “Sketches from Home” illustrations and popular etchings: “Dogs — Sketch Series” in light pink, light khaki or navy; “Cats — Sketch Series” in light gray, beige and tan; and “Cats” etching T-shirt in navy with pocket design detail of a peeking kitty.

Step out

in Pinay style

The late artist Inday Cadapan was a champion of Filipina women in her feminist art. Celebrate unique Pinay style and the legacy of Cadapan with Kamiseta ni Inday; easy, breezy bohemian blouses with silhouettes inspired by traditional Filipino wear and accented with Cadapan’s colorful paintings of women. The Inday x Fundacion Sansó pieces are part of the program under ICArE: Initiative for the Continuation of Artist’s Estate, where in the museum will help the Artist’s Estate develop and grow through merchandising, skill transfer and copyright resources.

Give her (Sansó) flowers

She can buy herself flowers, but wouldn’t it be more romantic if you could give her flowers that will last forever? A giclée print of one of Sansó’s gorgeous 1960s floral works fits the bill. Based on Sansó’s “Alegra La Sombra,” a 1960s oil on canvas board painting from the Raffy Simpao Collection, the limited-edition giclée is a perfect, early example of the artist’s En Vase Series of paintings — also called Fleurs En Vase—that featured delicate, and brightly colored masses of flowers tucked into diminutive vases.

Wildflowers Yellow Silk Scarf

Sansó scarves

Take your Valentine’s date OOTD to another level with Sansó Silk Scarves. Made of 100-percent silk, each hand-stitched-hem scarf is printed with two classic Juvenal Sansó paintings from the Cuevas & Gonzalez Collection: the exuberant, yellow “Wildflowers” painting and the brilliant blue “Sky Blue Rocks” Brittany series work. The scarves are large enough (34” x 34”) to create several fashion looks: you can tie it in a shawl, cravat, sarong-style or even transform into a tube top.

Check out these pieces and more at the Fundacion Sansó Museum Shop at 32 V. Cruz St., Brgy. Sta. Lucia, San Juan, from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except on holidays), or shop online 24/7 at fundacionsanso.shop. Follow and message at @fundacionsansomuseumshop on Instagram.