In the world of art and interior design, art wholesaler and distributor Cobra Art Company is an established name. What started as a family business in 1983 grew into a leading international art wholesaler. With their exclusive collections of photographs on Plexiglas, paintings, sculptures and objects, Mike and Jeannette van Rijswijk serve a wide range of B2B customers, ranging from interior and interior designers to retailers and from designers, hotel owners to property developers. We spoke to the couple about their passion, the development of their business and their vision for the future. "We are the candy store for art lovers," Jeannette sums it up nicely.
Jeannette and Mike van Rijswijk also make the perfect couple as directors; she has the business/creative brain, he is an up-and-coming salesman.
Mike van Rijswijk remembers well how, as a young entrepreneur in the late 1980s, he scoured the Netherlands and Belgium with a show truck, looking for customers. "Just like the late Theo Eichholz did. I met him regularly. In those early days, some 35 years ago, many furniture and interior design shops were large halls, where there was often a single wall with some art on the wall. I visited hundreds of furniture dealers and home furnishing shops, looking for collaborations. For eight years, I drove around town and country to put Cobra Art on the map."
Not without success. Today, Cobra Art operates in 28 countries and has some 800 registered customers. "Our participation in Maison&Objet, 15 years ago, was a breakthrough. We immediately had a large 300m2 stand there with over 175 artworks on display and it proved to be a hit. Since then we have continued to grow and refine our signature," says Mike.
Signature
Cobra Art's collection is known for its glamorous chic look. "We make and sell what we like ourselves, what we would also hang in our own home. But always with a commercial eye," says Jeannette. "Our 1100 m2 showroom in Veenendaal, where more than 500 works of art hang, is a true experience. We have about ten furnished studios in different styles, such as an Ibiza room and a black-and-white room. This is how we inspire our customers and help them choose the perfect works of art."
Cobra Art is distinguished by collaborations with leading national and international artists and photographers. The works are available in limited editions, ranging from unique to very limited editions. "That exclusive aspect is important to us. Each work is an investment and carries a certificate with biography of the artist," Jeannette says.
Collections
Cobra Art Company offers four distinctive collections:
- Masterpieces: An exclusive high-end collection of unique artworks by renowned national and international artists and photographers.
- Photographic art: Photographs on high-quality plexiglass with superior quality and intense colours for a luxurious look and feel in limited editions
- Paintings on canvas: Handmade paintings on canvas, created in collaboration with well-known artists using various mixed media techniques.
- Objects & sculptures: Unique and luxurious art objects and sculptures that make a special addition to any interior.
Trends
The core of Cobra Art's success lies in innovation and responding to interior design trends. "We were one of the first to introduce art on Plexiglas 20 years ago," Mike and Jeannette explain. "We do a lot of our own photoshoots and come up with our own collections. This ensures that we can always offer a unique and innovative selection."
Yet innovation also brings challenges. "Our works are often copied, and that is frustrating," says Jeannette. "We invest a lot in distinctive design, and then we sometimes see cheaper imitations appearing on the market. But that only motivates us to always stay one step ahead," she says. Ever since their marriage, 27 years ago, Jeannette has been working in the company founded by her parents-in-law. She as the business's creative brain, Mike as the salesman. Together, they make the perfect (executive) couple.
Growing as a brand
Cobra Art is more than an art supplier; it has become a brand. Aside from the 1100 m2 showroom in Veenendaal, Mike and Jeannette opened Cobra Art Galleries in Amsterdam and Rotterdam seven years ago. "When customers walk in there, they are often pleasantly surprised. We want to make art accessible while offering a high-end experience."
Participation in fairs remains an important part of their strategy. "For us, Maison&Objet is the only fair we still attend, but it has become more of a contact fair than a direct sales fair. That works fine for us because customers come to our stand especially to see what news we have."
World player
Despite its international growth, Cobra Art remains a family business. Mike and Jeannette's sons, Mike junior and Sam, are being groomed as the third generation. "It's important to us that they inherit the passion and craftsmanship. Since the COVID period, we have lived in Florida about half the year, partly because of our children's studies and because Mike always wanted to emigrate once, but also because we can continue to manage our business well from there," Jeannette says.
With a mix of creativity, commercial acumen and a keen eye for trends, Cobra Art continues to evolve. "We have never faltered," concludes Jeannette. "Our artworks are of a consistently high quality, comparable to the standards of BMW, Mercedes as well as Rolls Royce and Bentley in the automotive world. We continue to surprise, inspire and innovate," Mike adds.
More information:
Cobra Art Company
Arkeneel 2
3905 NS Veenendaal
Tel.+ 31 318 - 514 063
[email protected]
www.cobraart.nl
The Netherlands