Where to Buy ’80s Art

1980s poster art by Razzia (Image courtesy of Posters Please)

An explosion of 1980s art Tumblrs and graphic design references has made it clear that the ’80s are back like never before! This week we’ve taken a look at some online destinations for cutting edge images from our favorite decade. You know where to see the art, but what if you want to hang it on your walls? Today we wrap up Art Week at Mirror80 with a look at where to buy ’80s artwork.

Retro Kaleidoscope Two by Vasare Nar

1. Society6

When it comes to new works inspired by 1980s motifs, Society6 is at the top of our list. For those of you unfamiliar with the site, it’s like Etsy for indie visual artists. Except Society6 produces and ships the products on behalf of the artists and designers. Gallery-quality work is available at affordable rates. The site is a treasure trove of art, and if you’re wanting more than a print to hang on the walls, you’ll also find T-shirts, laptop skins, iPhone cases and more. For modern pieces with ’80s flair, check out the work of artists like Vasare Nar, Kris Tate and Jacqueline Maldonado. For more about artist Vasare Nar, click here.

A close-up of Asterope by Gregory Gioiosa (Image courtesy of The 80s Gallery)

2. The 80s Gallery

For collectors of ’80s fine art, The 80s Gallery is the definitive source for the real thing–no reproductions here! From Nagel pieces to Manuel Nunez illustrations, the site offers top-notch works in top-quality condition. If springing for an original painting is not in the budget, items like Memphis-Milano jewelery and ceramics by Kato Kogei are a great place to start!

An assortment of prints by Ditty Drops

3. Etsy

While Etsy features a slew of crafty products, it also offers original prints and posters. Not to mention an occasional vintage ’80s art piece. In a recent article on New ’80s-Style Tribal Art Finds, Mirror80 profiled artists and Etsy shop owners Lauren Rust, Meredith Schwab and Kayla Meyer and showcased some of their tribal selections. In addition, artists like Dominic Joyce offer ’80s-style pieces in their Etsy shops. In fact, Joyce created a series of paintings and original prints inspired by neon noir, as featured in a previous Mirror80 post. Don’t forget Mirror80 favorites like Il Giardino Luxor, an Etsy shop that includes some amazing ’80s graphic design postcards (frame them and you have instant art) along with their selection of retro school supplies.

Rio Blue Mesa II by Scott Nellis

4. Goodwill

Yep, that’s right! For authentic ’80s art, you won’t find anything more affordable or unusual than the vintage pieces in the art stash at Goodwill. You have to dig, but it’s completely worth it! After all, this is the time when folks are cleaning out their garages and letting go of the framed 1980s posters, paintings and prints that once graced their living room walls. You probably won’t find an original Nagel in the bunch, but there are some amazing pieces to be claimed before the thrift store dealers snag them and mark them up. Take the piece above, titled Rio Blue Mesa II by Scott Nellis. I HAD to have it, and it became the centerpiece of my ’80s-style photo shoot. Goodwill is where it’s at! No Goodwill in your area? Check the local thrift stores–any place where people take their unwanted household items. There are treasures to be had, folks!

Artwork by Patrick Nagel

5. eBay

You can find some pretty interesting ’80s art pieces on eBay. In fact, many dealers have ’80s items mixed in with their collections. 1980s posters are abundant, such as Nagel selections. Not to mention, eBay stores like Posters Please feature unique 1980s finds, such as the ’80s Deco selection at the top of the post, which we showcased in a previous Mirror80 Mid-Week Match-Up. Search for your favorite ’80s artist on eBay or type “80s art” once on the site and see what pops up…

We can’t forget the wonderful surprise of discovering an artist who loves the ’80s as much as we do. Keep searching the internet for ’80s art, and you never know what you may find. For example, artists like Francesco Mancin reflect 1980s motifs in their work. His posters were inspired by Memphis-Milano design! Who are some of your favorites? Leave a comment below!