Zian Print and Graphics owner Zian (pronounced “zih-AHN”) was an art collector long before he became a shopkeeper. For 10 years, he amassed original prints, graphics, and bookplates. Also known as ex libris (Latin for “from the books”), bookplates are small prints or decorative labels pasted into a book to indicate its ownership. Zian even published two Chinese books on the subject: The Western Bookplates (2009) and The Love of Bookplates (2011). “Most of my Chinese customers have no idea what prints and graphics are,” he says with a laugh. “They think [the works]literally come from a printer.” Since its opening in September 2011, the shop has gained a small but loyal following among customers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and overseas. The store stocks original European and Chinese prints and graphics (most of which are sourced directly from artists), as well as postcards and high-quality reproductions. We love the authentic, turn-of-the-century framed Parisian newspapers (RMB 300-600), but there are also small- to medium-sized prints for RMB 120 to RMB 200. You’ll also find Zian selling prints at school fairs and holiday bazaars around Beijing.
Tue-Sun 1-5pm. 30 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District (131 4649 3917 Zian) weibo.com/exlibris 子安方家胡同店,东城区方家胡同30号
This article is excerpted from the beijingkids September 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.