The Art of Robert Indiana and Alexander Girard contain some of the most recognizable icons of romance. Here’s a look at their enduring “LOVE” and “heart” art as well as products and home decor inspired by those pieces.
The Art of Robert Indiana & Alexander Girard
Initially designed decades ago, these eternally hip symbols have found their way onto many different products, all of which make excellent Valentine’s gifts for any designer or art lover.
Robert Indiana (b. 1928-2018)
Robert Indiana’s LOVE image is arguably one of the most recognizable icons of the latter half of the 20th century. With giant sculptures in many major cities, Robert Indiana is one of the first artists many think of when asked to define “pop” art. His love image has appeared on postage stamps for multiple countries, in various color formations, as art, paperweights and rugs. He also created his love sculpture in Hebrew (Ahava) in 1977 and as Amor, 1998-2006 as well as several other variations, some of which can be seen below.
“I had no idea LOVE would catch on the way it did. Oddly enough, I wasn’t thinking at all about anticipating the Love generation and hippies. It was a spiritual concept. It isn’t a sculpture of love any longer. It’s become the very theme of love itself.” — Robert Indiana
The iconic artwork spun off several licensed and decorative versions such as matts, rugs, stamps, paperweights and jewelry.
Robert Indiana “Love” Items: (Most of which are no longer available).
Love Welcome Mats:
From the Whitney Museum store, available in the small size only Coir, 20″ x 20″ x 1.5″ (sadly, no longer available).
LOVE Rugs:
The LOVE Rugs are original works of Art by Robert Indiana and produced by the Artist in conjunction with master rug maker John Gilbert. Hand made with archival New Zealand wool. Each piece comes with a “Certificate of Authenticity” signed by the publisher. Sizes: 2’x 2′ or 6’x 6′
These tufted carved wool rugs are now often up for auction on sites like Christies, Sotheby’s, 1st Dibs and Paddle 8.
above: Love Enflame (Classic Love) edition: 150, size: 6 x 6 feet, 183 cm x 183 cm
above:Grisaille, edition: 30 in a Book of Love Portfolio Edition of 300, size: 6 x 6 feet, 183 cm x 183 cm
above: American Love edition: 30 in a Book of Love Portfolio Edition of 300. size: 6 x 6 feet, 183 cm x 183 cm
above: Thirst, edition: 30 in a Book of Love Portfolio Edition of 300, size: 6 x 6 feet, 183 cm x 183 cm
Many museums now used to carry Robert Indiana’s Love sculpture as an aluminum paperweight in various colors. They are were available in several online museum stores in prices ranging from $48-$70.00. Now, if you can find one, the prices have gone though the roof! There are also several homemade and 3D printed versions for sale on Etsy.
These vintage licensed gold plated 1970s Charles Revson Love Rings have begun popping up on ebay and etsy, Prices vary immensely. The rings were also made in sterling silver and brass.
Robert Indiana Inspired Items:
The mirror made by Seletti is available here.
The Cook worktop board by Joseph Joseph is available here.
Alexander Girard (1907-1993)
Working in partnership with Charles Eames and George Nelson, Girard helped catapult Herman Miller to the forefront of modern design, creating furnishings, wallpaper, and brilliantly colored textiles rooted in the vibrant simplicity of folk art. Maharam re-issued Alexander Girard’s Checker, Checker Split, Double Triangles, Jacobs Coat, Mikado, Millerstripe, Quatrefoil and Toostripe as part of the Textiles of the 20th Century Collection.
Authentic Alexander Girard Items: (sadly, since I wrote this post these have all sold out)
Books, games and other Alexander Girard items on Amazon
Alexander Girard International Love Heart and his Love Heart are available on several items:
The Japanese Bearbrick toy featuring Girard’s International Loveheart was a collaboration between máXimo, Stitch Store in Tokyo and Medicom Toy. Medicom Be@rbrick with Alexander Girard’s International Love symbol, shown in both in 400% and 100% sizes.
Neither is available, but as always, check ebay.
Modern Seed exclusively carries Alexander Girard’s designs on T-shirts for kids, his 2 heart designs are amongst them:
Buy them here. Sorry, no longer available.
Even notecards are available in packages of 20 featuring his heart and other designs:
Robert Indiana books
original art prints, check here,
For Robert Indiana wool rugs and art prints, check here
Instead, the following stores carry items by Alexander Girard:
Alexander Girard products at DWR
Alexander Girard products at Vitra
Alexander Girard items at MoMA