Glasgow-based independent print studio Risotto has reached a major milestone with the release of its 100th issue of Riso Club, featuring collaborations with three internationally acclaimed designers. The special edition, titled "Riso Club 100: Risottopia," showcases the work of Nathalie Du Pasquier, Peter Shire, and Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, marking a significant achievement for the studio that has been championing risograph art since 2017.
Risotto's monthly publication has become a global phenomenon, sending carefully selected risographic artworks to collectors and art students in more than 40 countries each month. The studio's founder, Gabriella Marcella, has built an impressive network that has featured the work of over 400 artists throughout the publication's eight-year run. Each month, the Risotto team curates four risographic pieces that are distributed to subscribers worldwide, creating a unique bridge between artists and art enthusiasts across continents.
For this landmark 100th issue, Marcella chose three designers who have profoundly influenced her personal artistic practice. The featured artists include Nathalie Du Pasquier, a founding member of the legendary Italian design and architecture collective Memphis Group, known for her bold patterns and colorful aesthetic. Peter Shire, another prominent Memphis Group member, brings his expertise in ceramic and furniture design, characterized by geometric forms and vibrant colors. The third featured artist is Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, the late designer who revolutionized graphic design through her pioneering Supergraphics movement.
"This special issue is a fantasy place where the artists who've shaped my practice meet through color and print," Marcella explained. "They've transformed how I think about design, and I wanted our 100th issue to celebrate that." The collaborative edition presents work from all three renowned designers alongside Marcella's own artistic contributions, creating a cohesive celebration of risograph printing techniques and contemporary design philosophy.
The carefully curated artworks from all four participating artists will be distributed to existing Riso Club members as part of their regular subscription. However, non-members also have the opportunity to purchase the special edition pack directly through the Risotto studio website, making this historic release accessible to a broader audience of art collectors and design enthusiasts.
The celebration of this milestone extends beyond the current release, with Risotto planning an extensive series of commemorative events for the coming year. The studio has announced plans for a comprehensive retrospective exhibition, a new digital atlas that will map and showcase the project's global reach and impact, and a printed archive documenting the evolution of the Riso Club over its eight-year history.
Reflecting on the journey and philosophy behind Riso Club, Marcella emphasized the project's commitment to analog techniques in an increasingly digital world. "[Riso Club] is labor-intensive, but a big act of love – a physical reminder that design can still travel slowly, beautifully, and surprise," she noted. This dedication to traditional printing methods and the tactile experience of physical artwork has distinguished Risotto's approach in the contemporary art and design landscape.
The risograph printing technique, which originated in Japan, has experienced a renaissance among independent artists and designers who appreciate its unique aesthetic qualities and sustainable printing process. Risotto's consistent championing of this medium has helped establish Glasgow as an important hub for risograph art and has contributed to the global appreciation of this distinctive printing method.
