Our Story:
In 1989, I was given a chance to travel to Bali, Indonesia with my mother, who was a world traveler already. Being a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art and a practicing artist at the time, my mother thought I would be of some help in buying art with her. That trip changed my life. It sparked my already lifelong interest in Far Eastern and African cultures, their arts and traditions. Following this initial trip, I began traveling by myself several times a year to research, collect, design and import treasures from the Far East. I founded Badawang Art two years later, in 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio. My travels have taken me back repeatedly to Indonesia, Nepal and Thailand primarily, but also include travel to Tibet, Bhutan, Cambodia,Turkey, Singapore and recently to Ethiopia.
I love anything that is extra-ordinary. I love art and I love rituals. I want my surroundings and belongings to be aesthetically pleasing. I have always been a collector and I have always had a very discerning eye. These passions helped me form the basis for the standards I keep in mind when buying for Badawang Art. Ultimately, the artifacts must have one or more of these qualifications: Exotic, Sophiticated and Elegant. These treasures speak of old and new traditions, rituals and stories. I want to celebrate these stories and traditions through our product lines. I want you to be able to surround yourself with beauty and art. Even the most functional item can be unusal. Be it wearable, decorative or functional, we try to add something wonderful and different to your lifestyle.
