Cobra Art Company, the art company that seamlessly combines interior design and art, continues its strong international growth. From London to New York, their striking collections are gaining recognition beyond the Netherlands. Co-owner Mike van Rijswijk Jr. explains how Cobra Art maintains exclusivity and quality, collaborates with international partners, and why real art remains indispensable, even in the age of AI.
Thirteen years ago, Cobra Art took a key step by participating in Maison & Objet in Paris. "That proved to be a turning point and firmly established our presence in the European interior design industry," says Mike. The recent collaboration with Dansk in England underscores the importance of international growth for Cobra Art. "The collaboration is going extremely well. We find that our art collections complement the Dansk showroom perfectly: our art and their furniture reinforce each other, creating a complete interior design experience for consumers." Given the success of this shop-in-shop concept, Mike is eager to expand it to other major international accounts.
© Cobra Art Company
Mike van Rijswijk jr, co-responsible for collection development and international expansion.
Growth in the US
Although marketing efforts in the US are still limited, Cobra Art is experiencing strong demand. "Even without participating in trade shows, running targeted online ads, or launching lead campaigns, customers already know how to find us," says Mike. Logistics and import tariffs remain a challenge; however, Cobra Art is actively preparing for a potential expansion to better meet growing demand.
In the Middle East, collaboration with a reliable local dealer is going very well. "Thanks to this partner, a direct focus on this market is currently not necessary."
© Cobra Art Company
Exclusivity Leading
With resellers in more than 20 countries, maintaining exclusivity and quality is a top priority. "Our customers must be able to rely on consistently high quality, especially since we sell a visual product that is often viewed and purchased online by international customers. Exclusivity is extremely important to us. We therefore work only with carefully selected partners and launch a new collection twice a year," explains Mike. "By constantly innovating, we stay ahead of competitors and maintain our unique position in the market, even as more and more companies try to imitate our style." 
© Cobra Art Company
Eye for Synergy
Cobra Art works closely with artists from both home and abroad. "When selecting new artists, we always ask ourselves one key question: would we want to hang this in our own interior? The work must not only fit within the Cobra Art style but also bring something new and refreshing to our existing collection. We also place great value on a pleasant and reliable collaboration with the artist. After all, a long-term relationship is built on mutual trust and creative synergy," says Mike.
Over the years, Cobra Art has developed a recognizable 'Cobra style' that customers immediately identify. New artists must align with this signature while also making their own unique contribution.
© Cobra Art Company
Real Art in an Age of AI
Although AI offers interesting opportunities for marketing and design preparation, Cobra Art remains true to its core value: "Real art, real photo shoots, and real stories. Nowadays, anyone can use artificial intelligence (AI) to create art or have stock photos printed and sold through a webshop. But that lacks the authenticity, craftsmanship, and emotion that our clients at Cobra Art value so highly. For more than 40 years, we have built our brand around this vision, and it is precisely this approach that has driven our international growth and established our recognizable style," says Mike. 
© Cobra Art Company
Experience central
Cobra Art is increasingly seen as an experience brand. Pop-up galleries or temporary exhibitions have been possible, but the focus is now on international exhibitions and face-to-face networking. "With our two permanent galleries and our 1,100 m² wholesale showroom, we offer an optimal experience for our customers. Here, visitors can experience our collection at their leisure and see how art completes an interior. Moreover, our B2B partners often use the showroom as an extension of their own presentation, because the Cobra Art experience is so strongly expressed there," Mike explains.
© Cobra Art Company
Maison & Objet
New collaborations and collections are planned for next year. "In line with our philosophy of exclusive photo shoots and original collections, we are currently working on a special new project. Next month we will organise an extensive photo shoot with a new photographer, a collaboration we are hugely looking forward to. The results will be part of our new collection, which we are proud to present at the upcoming edition of Maison & Objet in Paris, next January. Interior design professionals are cordially invited to visit our stand, admire our latest works and meet our experienced B2B team," Mike concludes.
© Cobra Art Company
More information:
Cobra Art Company
Arkeneel 2
3905 NS Veenendaal
Tel.+ 31 318 - 514 063
[email protected]
www.cobraart.nl
The Netherlands
