The new Barcaffè Artist Edition collection has arrived

Barcaffè continues the tradition of connecting art with everyday moments of enjoying coffee, this time through the new Artist Edition collection, which includes six uniquely designed coffee cups. The collection was created in collaboration with world-renowned Croatian multimedia artist Marina Mesar OKO and young poet Đuro Kelj, whose artistic vision and talent create a unique blend of visual and literary experience.

This year’s Artist Edition by OKO x Đuro Kelj collection consists of six cups, each telling its own story and leading us into a magical world where everyone can identify with the fairy-tale characters and find their favorite motif on the cup. The result is small, functional items that not only bring art into everyday life but also allow us to approach something deeper, stronger, and more magical with each sip of coffee.

Art That Transcends Boundaries

Marina Mesar, also known as OKO, has been pushing the boundaries of artistic expression for years. From her beginnings as a talented street artist to becoming a recognized voice on the global art scene, OKO has shown how art can be subtle yet powerful. Her works have been exhibited in numerous world metropolises, from London to Berlin and Tokyo, exploring the relationship between the public and the personal, between the external world and inner reflection.

"Art has always been a means of asking questions, not necessarily providing answers,” says Mesar. “With this collection, I wanted to explore what it means to take something as ordinary as a coffee cup and turn it into a canvas for imagination and introspection.”

Marina has created a world of fantasy for Barcaffè in her distinctive style. Her work features animals in human attire, almost archetypal symbols. The illustrations on the cups tell universal stories of motherhood, love, friendship, and hedonism, embodied through characters like Galeb Gal, Lisac Jakov, and the swans Lara and Odin. Each line and color narrate a story of transformation—of change, reflection, and rediscovery of oneself and those close to us in quiet moments.

Poetry in Your Hand

But it’s not just OKO who makes this edition special. In collaboration with young Serbian author Đuro Kelj, who runs the IG profile @imfckingstarboy, the new Barcaffè Artist Edition collection has gained emotional depth and a strong poetic expression that celebrates the beauty of every moment.

This incurable romantic, author of several poetry collections, gained popularity by sharing his verses on social media. On his Instagram profile, he regularly posts quotes from his books, such as “Breathe to Pass,” “Peace, Sea, and Love,” and others, which many have fallen in love with. His short, love poems, concise and emotionally powerful, are especially popular among younger audiences who eagerly share them on their social networks.

“My verses speak of everyday feelings, moments that remain remembered, and, of course, love. In this collaboration with the wonderful OKO, my goal was to allow people to experience the verses in a new, everyday context,” explains Đuro Kelj, whose meditative verses readers can now hold in their hands, in the form of poetry printed on artistic cups.

The limited Artist Edition collection, which includes six original cups, is available on the Barcaffè web shop and in selected stores and cafes across the country. Given the limited quantity, hurry and make sure to get at least one of these cups, as each carries its own story and invites owners to connect with the moment and enjoy art in a new, personal way.