I Can’t Stop Thinking About These Pieces from the Nameless Art + Design Show

Hey, y’all, hey!

Is it too late to say Happy New Year 66 days in? Fine.

But I’m back and excited to talk all things art and culture.

When my favorite vintage and design store, Portmanteau, posted about this art show they were going to be showcasing at, my ears perked up. Enter: Nameless Art + Design - a show for art dealers showcasing artworks and functional objects by “anonymous outsider and folk artists” circa 1600 - 1970. To be honest, I really had no idea what I was walking into but I’m such a huge admirer of the design eye of Trevon and Zach from Portmanteau that I just went for it and I was not disappointed.

Here are my favorites from the Nameless Art + Design Show.

Cigarette purse bag * Evan Grant

I was this 🤏🏾 close to adding this bag made of cigarette packs to my bag collection. One of the art dealers I spoke to mentioned that in the 60s it was common for people to use everyday items like cigarette packs and a deck of cards to make functional items. This is too good I’d want to have it as art in my home, but I’d also try to use it like a real bag occasionally. Talk about a statement piece!

Cigarette log cabin * American Huckleberry

Speaking of cigarette’s, I was obsessed with this log cabin made of cigarette filters. Can you imagine how many cigarette’s this took to make? I doubt anyone would try this nowadays due to inflation but it just goes to show the incredible craftsmanship and trends of using cigs to make art.

Hippie telephone * American Huckleberry

Confession: I’ve always wanted to learn how to use a rotary phone. They look so cool but I missed out by a couple of decades. This hippie telephone from the 1960s is a really fun look into the artists self expression and the “Love” inscriptions on the phone is such a true representation of what the 60s Hippie era was all about. It makes me wonder about the artist, where the phone was housed, what sort of conversations were had, etc.

Hand-made jacket * Adam Irish

This item was so heartfelt and interesting to me. It was discovered that this hand-made jacket was made by a man named J.V. Allen for his 8-year old daughter while he was incarcerated at Huntsville Prison.

“With needles likely prohibited within the prison walls, Allen created the intricate garment entirely by hand using a knot-tying technique, which gives the jacket its striking pom-pom composition and unusual structure.”

Red Velvet Heart Lamp * Portmanteau New York

Portmanteau is known for having such unique lamps and this one did not disappoint. This velvet heart lamp was such a fun piece and apt for Valentine’s Day. I loved the tiny wooden drawers and appreciate the contrast of the hard wood against the soft velvet.

One thing I didn’t expect was that everything would be for sale. I’d love to come back next year and buy something really unique for my house but one thing I’m glad I walked away with was this portrait of this beautiful Black woman captured from a Photomatic machine. A Photomatic machine was a photobooth that was common in the 1940s. I don’t usually collect vintage portraits of Black people but something about this one felt so right. She was the only Black person in the box and had a bright smile on her face. It made me wonder what her life was like and in the middle of this art show dedicated to nameless artists, I just wanted to honor this woman and hold space for her and her story and histories at my home.

You can learn more about the Nameless Art + Design show here. I believe there is another show planned in April so I’ll probably share it here when I know more.

I have sooooo many exhibits and things I want to share here so definitely watch this space!