What We Keep And Why

My antique fan collection

The other day, I found myself in this cozy little library that was absolutely buzzing with joy. A group of collectors had gathered, proudly showing off their treasures: stamps, postcards, badges—you name it! These tiny slices of history were carefully preserved in albums and boxes, and watching these passionate individuals share their stories was a real delight. It felt like stepping into a time warp where everything still had value and meaning.

I often think about why people collect objects. There is something almost rebellious about it in today’s world. We are told to declutter, let go, embrace minimalism, and throw everything away. We live in a throwaway culture, where objects don’t last and are easily replaced. Yet here we are, some of us still lovingly sorting through our collections, dusting shelves, and flipping through album pages. Isn’t that a bit wonderful?

As for me, I collect fans—not the kind that follow my work on Instagram, but delicate, hand-painted ones. Some are centuries old. Each fan in my collection has a story to tell, a little echo of the past that connects me to history and to people I will never meet. When I look at my fans, I wonder about their stories. "Did someone cry behind this one? Did someone laugh or meet their soulmate while holding it?"

We live in a world that moves fast and forgets easily. But collectors? We remember. We honor the old, the odd, and the beautifully unnecessary. Whether it is a fan, a stamp, or a postcard, we say, “You matter. I’m keeping you.” Maybe that’s why collecting feels so uplifting.

So next time you see someone lovingly holding a rusted tin toy or an old postcard, smile. They are not hoarding—they are dreamers. And if you ever want to talk about antique fans, you know where to find me. Oh, and to celebrate my fan collection, I created a painting inspired by it. Please take a look.

Folded Dreams