Six Picks: Howard Thornton of SFMOMA
Pollock had his first show here, as did Gorky — and some of our favorite brands for home and gift have gotten their start or made their way into the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s famed Museum Shop over the years. Known for being one of the most imitated and pace-setting museum stores in the country, the shop carries an extensive array of complementary souvenirs to the museum’s collection of more than 33,000 pieces of contemporary masterworks, as well as the best selection of brands and designers from around the world. SFMoMA and the Museum Store are both open now, with COVID precautions and limited capacity in place, so book a time and enjoy the serenity of social distancing if you’re local. We’re always keen to know what catches their buying team’s eyes at Shoppe Object, so we’re pleased to present six standouts from the Shoppe On Marketplace selected by SFMoMA’s Interim Museum Store Director Howard Thornton.
Howard Thornton
Founder of AERIAL, a design store in San Francisco.
Founder of Triangle Studio, a home textile collection exhibiting in Accent on Design, NY.
Buyer for Oakland Museum of California Store and SFMOMA Museum Stores.
SIX PICKS
Wander Light by Jonas Wagell, From the Bay - “light reminiscent of a rice paper lantern”
Matte Porcelain Pitcher, Edgewood Made – “angular shape beautiful as a pitcher, vase or still life”
Jack, Tycho, Venn puzzles, Craighill - “metal structures that challenge the mind”
Le Dejeuner Puzzle by Mickalene Thomas, Third Drawer Down – “artist in SFMOMA collection”
Puzzle Table, Tina Frey – “Tina inspires me with her use of color, texture and form”
Bauhaus-era Christmas Ornaments set of 12, Ameico – “found objects reproduced for our 21st century enjoyment”
What kinds of products/objects are you most drawn to right now?
Art supplies. I love color and utensils for making color on paper. Pencils, watercolors, chalk, pastels.
Favorite Shoppe Object brand discovery?
Transparent Sound and ‘Designed in Colour’ British Colour Standard candles from last February’s in-person show.
What’s the best purchase you’ve made for yourself this year?
I purchased a philodendron plant for my work from home office. The introduction of something green and living brings joy to me.
What’s your personal go-to for retail therapy (like, where do you shop to feel good)?
AB Fits, San Francisco, clothing store.
Name an item that you can’t seem to keep in stock!
Square Pentomino Rainbow Puzzle, Bright Beam Goods – it sells itself!
