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TRIESTE, Italy – illycaffè presents in preview at Frieze New York the new illy Art Collection designed by Sol Calero, a Venezuelan artist born in Caracas and now based in Berlin, renowned for her immersive installations that explore themes of identity and representation through a vibrant mix of patterns and textiles.
Calero’s distinctive aesthetic blends painting, vernacular architecture, and diverse materials – including fabrics, furniture, and mosaics – to create colorful, participatory, and site-specific environments. Her works, often set in spaces that evoke everyday activities such as beauty salons, salsa schools, restaurants, or travel agencies, challenge aesthetic and cultural hierarchies and the perception of the exotic. With a style that is at once playful and ironic, she addresses issues of identity, migration, and displacement.
In Calero’s hands, everyday objects become storytelling tools that convey personal and collective narratives, evoke cultural identities, and foster dialogue between places and people. This vision aligns seamlessly with the philosophy of the illy Art Collection, a project through which illycaffè has transformed its iconic cup, designed by Matteo Thun in 1991, into a canvas for over 135 contemporary artists, offering a platform for creative expression and global cultural reflection.
For this new edition, Calero brings her signature style – bold colors, floral motifs, and vibrant geometric patterns – to a collection inspired by Latin American imagery. Her designs encourage us to slow down, observe, and connect. Each cup becomes a miniature visual universe, where art merges with the domestic sphere and the act of enjoying coffee becomes a moment of discovery and connection.
“Through the illy Art Collections, we celebrate the power of art to elevate everyday life,” says Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè. “Sol Calero brings the richness and complexity of Latin American cultural codes into our daily routines, blending irony, beauty, and a deep exploration of identity. With this special edition, art becomes a bridge for global dialogue – uniting diverse cultures through color, storytelling, and shared meaning.”
“My work aims to build bridges between people and cultures,” says Sol Calero. “Collaborating with illy allowed me to translate my artistic research into accessible objects that can spark curiosity and connection – even from a simple gesture like drinking a coffee.”
The illy Art Collection by Sol Calero will premiere at Frieze New York, held from May 7 to 11, 2025 and available starting May 2025 via the illy e-shop, in illy stores (illy Caffè and illy Shop), and through major retailers and e-commerce channels.
