La Coqueta

A self-described “consumer of art and its history,” Manolo Valdés draws on canonical motifs and symbols to create witty drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures and mixed media works. Valdés rose to prominence in the 1960s as a cofounder of the artistic group Equipo Crónica, a distinctly Spanish manifestation of Pop Art, which used irony and humor in scathing criticisms of the country’s dictator, Francisco Franco. In his solo career, Valdés has developed an equally innovative and distinctive style. Citing inspirations ranging from Goya and Velázquez to Picasso, his oeuvre is characterized by the use of pared-down forms, heavily impastoed paint and unconventional materials.

Valencia, Spain