Passion for art: ARTIKA celebrates its 20th anniversary

ARTIKA is celebrating two decades as the leading publisher of art books. An endeavour that is reflected in every single title in our catalogue of exclusive editions, all of which are dedicated to the great names in art. These are the pieces that only ARTIKA can create.  

 

If it’s unique, it’s an ARTIKA

ARTIKA is much more than a publishing house. It’s a brand dedicated to creating works of art. This is the mission of a team of editors, creatives, artisans, technicians and art historians.

When it comes to art books, ARTIKA sets the standard. All our editions are limited and handcrafted. From Rembrandt to Antonio López, we have produced exclusive titles dedicated to historical and contemporary artists since 2003.

 

Art as the driving force

In a world where mass production has become the rule, we are committed to authenticity. At ARTIKA, the artist is at the heart of every project. We work with experts and with the actual artists to turn their ideas into the masterpieces of our collection.

Our editions are an extension of an artist’s personality, experience and technique. Every concept is unique: that’s why we choose the materials that best represent the author’s vision.

Antonio López choosing the cover of his work Landscapes (Paisajes), 2023

 

Values that we apply every step of the way

There are three things that define the way we work.

• Patience. We take the time we need to produce the best possible art book.
• Concentration. We strive for excellence at every stage of our work.
• Meticulousness. We aim to choose the right quality in terms of materials, texts and finishes.

The result? Every single one of our editions represents a never-before-seen chapter in the history of art.

 

Why an ARTIKA is in a class of its own

ARTIKA editions combine features that have become increasingly valuable in today’s world: they are handcrafted and produced exclusively in Spain. This makes them highly prized worldwide.

Our art books have featured in several editions of ARCO, the largest international art fair, where collectors and art lovers have discovered pieces that combine traditional methods and ground-breaking designs. There is no other venture underpinned by these cornerstones that has a catalogue like ours.

 

Exclusive art for you to enjoy

At ARTIKA we make sure that each piece has presence, texture and most of all personality. These pieces represent an integral part of each artist’s legacy and only belong to a limited number of privileged individuals.

We are now used to having any cultural product just a click away, which is why we value a special work of art more than ever. At ARTIKA, the concept of “unrepeatable” is more than just advertising lingo: it has a precise meaning. Every copy is unique. And when an edition is sold out, it is never produced again.

 

Our commitment to the history of art

ARTIKA’s very first release was dedicated to Salvador Dalí and his particular vision of Don Quijote, in an edition of 998 copies. The instant success of this jewel sparked other editions featuring the genius of surrealism and renowned artists such as Goya, Picasso and Rembrandt.

Don Quijote, 2003, by Salvador Dalí.
 

Subsequently, we began to collaborate with artists including Miquel Barceló, Jaume Plensa, Fernando Botero and Lita Cabellut in search of creative solutions. When it comes to artists who have passed away, we contact experts, heirs, foundations and museums to gather information and materials that are not available to the public.

 

The art of attention to detail

We carefully select the right quality for each print and our books feature hand-stitched bindings and an exclusive design for each case. For contemporary artists, each edition is supervised by the artist and includes signed copies.    

Fernando Botero, Lita Cabellut and Jaume Plensa at the time of signing their work.

 

The choice of a sculptural material as both case and cover meets, in turn, the values that ARTIKA’s working method requires: it is an original approach that requires a handcrafted process and ensures that each volume embodies the artist’s vision and style.

Gaudi up close, 2021, at ‘La Pedrera’, Barcelona.

 

Research, imagine and innovate

We spend an average of four years researching each edition, always in search of the best way to approach each project. These research efforts have occasionally brought to light previously unknown facets of geniuses such as Gaudí, Frida Kahlo and Sorolla.

Every book is the result of a challenge: how do you capture the essence of an artist in a book? What can the artists add about their creative process? What would be the result of engaging in a dialogue between, for example, a classical literary text and a contemporary visual language?

The answers to these questions can be seen, respectively, in editions like Vía Crucis, Jaume Plensa 61 and Blood Wedding. Each of these pieces also offers an insight into a side of the artist that can’t be found in any museum. It is only available to those who take part in the ARTIKA experience.

 

Always with an eye to the future

For ARTIKA, the future is a blank canvas. That is why we have the privilege of choosing how we want to envision each project. We deeply research the careers of great artists, look for clues about their working methods and investigate the traits and influences that define their style.

Every one of our editions is informed by this perspective, both those that are no longer available and those that we have not yet created. Our legacy is a new way of approaching the art book: works of art with their own name and no creative barriers, designed to continue to inspire the awe of future generations.