The Rice Goddesses Who Played Hide and Seek for Six Months
Two enormous wooden statues, one hopelessly overcrowded warehouse, six months of negotiations and a mystery that still isn’t entirely solved. I have a weakness for Japan Surplus shops. …
From The Collection
I seem to have a talent for finding unusual things in Japanese surplus shops in the Philippines. Bringing them home is only the beginning; then comes the question of what they are and how they got here.
Explore the stories behind the paintings, carvings and curious objects in our collection—part detective work, part history, and occasionally a negotiation that takes six months.
A Camel, a Lamp and a Japanese Surplus Shop in the Philippines
A mysterious lamp, a Japanese surplus warehouse in the Philippines and a rather unexpected connection to a Pakistani camel. Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones you never went looking for.
Frank Gallo’s Woman in the Rain — A Forgotten Face Found Under the Dust of Time
Sometimes the most interesting finds do not wait politely on a clean shelf, perfectly displayed and ready to be admired. Sometimes they hide in a dusty corner, inside …
The Lute Player from Oberammergau
This 35 cm high woodcarving from Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany, is called “Lautenspielerin” — the lute player. It shows a young woman seated gracefully, holding her instrument close …
Kannon Bosatsu: A Lotus Rising from Stillness
At 39 cm high, this bronze Kannon Bosatsu has become one of the centrepieces of our collection. Its presence comes from the graceful pose and the expression that …
Sri Devi from Bali: A Hibiscus Wood Carving
This Sri Devi carving from Bali stands around 36 cm high and is one of the wooden pieces we have gathered for our collection over time. The hibiscus …
Two Faces, One Spirit: The Quiet Mystery of a Wooden Mask
Some decorations hang on a wall and look nice. Others seem to watch the room, judge your life choices, and quietly know more than they are willing to …
The Incredible Journey of Corazon Volador: Coincidence or Message from Hereafter?
I am not a professional art collector. I am simply very good at finding reasons to wander through Japanese surplus shops here in the Philippines. Usually, I am …