Small Business Spotlight: Nusantao Giftshop Celebrates Southeast Asian Artists, Designers, and Makers
Southeast Asia produces an unlimited number of arts and design, with each of them having their unique style. To celebrate the artists, designers, and makers of this region, Naarm-based (Melbourne-based) Nusantao Giftshop has created a platform where Southeast Asian arts can be recognized more in Australia. In this installment of Small Business Spotlight, EnVi spoke via online interview with Ken, owner of Nusantao Giftshop, about celebrating Southeast Asian art forms through opening doors in Naarm.
How Nusantao Giftshop Started
“Nusantao Giftshop started because I saw a lack of representation in Southeast Asian independent design pieces over here [Naarm, Australia], so Nusantao Giftshop is a way to create a space for independent Southeast Asian designers and creators,” Ken introduced. Nusantao, mostly based online, started in July 2024 with two pop-ups and a market.
As a Singaporean living in Australia, Ken has been exposed to a variety of works and designers in Southeast Asia. When he moved to Naarm a couple of years ago, he thought that it would be great to see and create a platform for that, with the aim to share the creativity of these designers. “It’s not that people don’t appreciate it, it’s just that they haven’t been exposed to or had that channel to purchase them,” Ken stated.
Their Eventful Pop-ups
“We did a launch pop-up back in July 2024 and another second one in January. The response from people was really good. Generally people are interested in seeing and flipping through the products because a lot of the products that we have are zines, publications, and posters,” Ken shared.
He also expressed that at the last pop-up people told him that it’s great to see that he created this platform in Naarm and that some people travelled a distance to come to Nusantao’s pop-up event. “So it was quite heartwarming to see because that’s the point of starting Nusantao Giftshop, to spread awareness and appreciation for these designers and makers,” the founder added.
What To Put In Your Shopping Cart
Dining Tables of Indonesia by Valensia Harumi Edgina
Dining Tables of Indonesia by Valensia Harumi Edgina. From Pontianak to Aceh, this collection celebrates the mundane yet heartwarming presence of these tables, while capturing local tradition and culture that lives through dining.
Zaab as heaven by Janejira Taechakampu
Thai illustrator Janejira Taechakampu (Jen.Two) illustrates food flavors according to the tongue flavor map through her risograph poster that features various kinds of Thailand cuisines.
ROOM FOR MESS by Shu
Discover Malaysian illustrator Shu’s work through ROOM FOR MESS, which explores people’s minds as a room. It also explains how it correlates with what lies within the unconscious image inside the mind and the conscious act that people do.
Red Stool Incense Holder by Nusantao
The iconic and humble red stool that is found all over food stalls in Southeast Asia is now created in the form of incense holders by Nusantao Giftshop.
Lock Packaging by Shrub
A collaboration between Singapore-based independent artist products store Shrub and France-based publisher Masala Noir created this book which showcases lock packagings from Shrub’s collection.
Find Nusantao Giftshop on Instagram. Tune in to their page to see more designers and makers that are showcased, and don’t forget to add something to your shopping cart!
Curious about Valensia Edgina’s photographs in her book Dining Tables of Indonesia? Check out her Creative Spotlight with EnVi here!
