12 Comments

Nicole!! I have long been obsessed with Taylor & Ng, and so appreciate all of this added context. I have a small mug collection (I'm committed to finding them in person for whatever reason, and have a preference for the off-white ceramic) and once had like.... five copies of Wok Craft, just buying them whenever I see them. I loved giving them away and showing folks my favorite illustrations. The orgy mugs are great, and I love the French ones, too. Thank you for this deep dive! Should I get a Win tattoo? xoxo -- Sofie, partner of Andrew B.

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Omg Win Ng tattoo! That is an internet search I need to do! I love this. I too have multiple copies of various T&N books, to give away when it feels right!

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delighted to be introduced to these artists’ work. finding your observations on the importance and rarity of embracing a multi-hyphenate (craft/fine/public/retail/etc.) art practice here mega relatable. loved reading the article, thank you!

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We all have a little bit of hyphenation, right?! Slightly different but related to what my friend Connie calls being a "Slasher" : artist-slash-designer-slash-writer-slash-shopkeeper... and on and on :)

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oh, I like "slasher"

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I loved Taylor & Ng already but this newsletter made me love them even more!! Thank you!

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ugh this was so good. I LOVE THIS NEWSLETTER

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🙃 thank you bud!!!!

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This is so good! Thank you for taking me on this journey through time + place :)

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aw thank you Kate!

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Thank you for this informative and heartfelt design history! My boyfriend has a vintage mug collection that he has slowly and lovingly curated from hundreds of trips to thrift stores and flea markets over the years. The Taylor & Ng designs are very much his/our style, so I shared this post with him and asked if he had any of their mugs. Sure enough, he shared a photo of the 'Cut & Paste' mug from their Primary Supplies line (one I've enjoyed coffee from many mornings, unaware of its larger story). The style is more geometric than some of the examples you've shared, but adorable nonetheless.

I also very much relate to your self-described designation as "more of an obsessive archival sleuth and image-aggregator who likes to write long, emotional captions." I stop myself from sharing my obsessive deep dives more widely out of a fear that they lack a "proper" journalistic legitimacy, and your newsletter is an encouraging reminder that I shouldn't worry about that and to simply follow my enthusiasm and curiosity instead. <3

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I just looked up the Copy and Paste mug and it's sooooo great.

*Please* share your obsessive deep-dives! That's such an important time of my practice. I gotta tell you, people love hearing about whatever you're obsessed with. Journalism is important and has its place... and there are plenty of other places to wiggle around, turn over stones, see who is living under there.

Thanks for reading and thanks extra for commenting.

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