What do coffee and art have to do with each other?

More than you might think. To convert a concept into a work of art you need perseverance, strength and inspiration. A good cup of espresso gives artists energy to keep working and creating. More specifically, ILLY has been one of the driving forces behind the Venice Biennale for years; one of the most important meeting places for artists, traders, and enthusiasts. The espresso brand thus offers a platform not only to the big names in the industry, but also to emerging talent from all over the world.

Art knows no boundaries. It forces inspiration and the fusion of ideas. The theme of the biennial Venetian art fair this year is Stranieri Ovunque – foreigners everywhere. The sixtieth edition of the Biennale, which opened on April 20, is in the hands of South America and, even more than in previous years, attention will be paid to non-Western cultures in art and at an institutional level. More specifically, to that of indigenous people on the continent.

At the Biennale, main sponsor ILLY presents a striking new series of espresso cups and saucers designed by South American artists. The first design is a colorful floral motif by Guatemala’s most influential female artist, Nicho Cumez. The southern Brazilian collective Mahku raises money through locally inspired art to protect their communities near the Jordão River. The group’s design for the biennial is a powerful motif that most resembles that of a snakeskin. The design by Peruvian artist, Rember Yahuarcani, focuses on the relationship between humans and nature and understanding the complicated philosophy of indigenous peoples around the Amazon River basin. Artist Aycoobo won the emerging talent award at the Toronto Biennale two years ago; his colorful design for ILLY depicts the quest for a connection between nature and the spiritual world.