Dubai’s on-going vision to promote itself as a hub of art and culture will get a further boost when works of one of the world’s most renowned artists – Manolo Valdes – are showcased in the city

Opera Gallery Dubai will present a solo exhibition by Spanish artist Valdes from March 15 to April 14.

More than 25 works of Valdes will be on display at the exhibition, the artist’s first in the Middle East.

Valdes is a rare breed of artists who has mastered multiple artistic disciplines in this career. Born in Valencia, Spain, he works in paint, sculpture and mixed media and describes his works as having a life beyond the themes and boundaries of an exhibition.

Much like the old saying ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’, each of his works can be read differently, interacted with differently and each has something different to tell the observer. His exceptional vision and ability to create a visual and figurative language that is reminiscent of both the past and present have made him one of the most important Spanish artists today.

During a period of great political turmoil in Spain spanning from the 1940s to the 1970s, Valdes’s collaboration with two other Spanish artists, Rafael Solbes and Juan Toledo, led to the creation of an important art collective called Equipo Cronica that emerged during the Franco years. The collective took inspiration from the popular and simplified aesthetics of ‘pop-art’ to create political works that were accessible to the masses. The provocative use of imagery from the mass media and from Spanish masters like Diego Velazquez and Pablo Picasso became the powerful aesthetics that would front their works.

Their exodus was the catalyst for Valdes’s creative processes as he went on to weave the beautifully powerful visual narratives that are seen in his works today.

From oils on sackcloth to larger-than-life bronze sculptures, Valdes’ versatility and mastery of artistic disciplines have cemented his place in Spanish art history as one of the most influential art figures of the 21st century.

With the ability to evoke rather than provoke, refraining from directing conclusions and conversations instead reflecting and projecting the visual narratives of its surroundings, Valdes’ artworks embody the silhouettes of historical art figures and motifs.

Valdes obsessively uses the world around him as his source for inspiration which has lead him to immense success around the world. His work is featured in museums, as well as countless private and public collections across the world.

In addition to brand new sculptures and works on canvas, Opera Gallery Dubai will display five monumental sculptures throughout the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) for a period of one year, as part of the neighbourhood’s public art integration programme. Additionally, for the very first time in his career, Valdes has produced four sculptures mixing brass and 24k gold, which have been created exclusively for Dubai and will be revealed at the exhibition.

The exhibition is the perfect opportunity to both commemorate the progression of culture and art in Dubai as well as celebrating the 10th anniversary of Opera Gallery Dubai, says the gallery.

The gallery has been one of the driving forces behind the evolution of art in the region.

Opera Gallery Dubai is part of the well-established international network known for showcasing contemporary artists from around the world.

The overall scope of this exhibition will put Dubai and the DIFC on the same level as Paris, New York and Singapore, where Valdes has exhibited his larger-than-life sculptures for over 50 years, adds the gallery.

“It is an honour for us to host the very first exhibition in the Middle East for such an important artist of the contemporary art world. I could not dream of a better artist to help the gallery celebrate its 10th anniversary in Dubai. Displaying monumental sculptures in the DIFC is also our way of thanking the region for its support, and giving back to our community by displaying first-class artworks to be enjoyed by all,” says Sylvain Gaillard, Director of Opera Gallery Dubai.