Kadir López: From Las Tunas to Fontcalent — Neon, Memory and the Palimpsest of Alicante
Kadir López, who hails from Las Tunas, Cuba, was born on 6 April 1972 and has studied at multiple art institutions. He currently resides in Fontcalent, Alicante. During a 11 September 2026 conversation with José Luis Martínez Meseguer, López articulated his artistic approach, which merges painting with urban experiences, utilizing various materials to delve into themes of memory and modern narratives. He stresses the importance of tailored education within the art sector and promotes professional associations. López has showcased his work internationally, engaged in artist residencies, and participated in public art initiatives like Habana Light. His notable pieces include 'Havana Monopoly' and 'Cryptopoly,' and he envisions transforming his Fontcalent studio into an open sculpture park and garden, with a focus on memory, time, and history.
Key facts
- Kadir López was born in Las Tunas, Cuba, on 6 April 1972 and lives and works in Fontcalent, Alicante.
- He studied at the Escuela Elemental de Arte El Cucalambé (1985), Escuela Profesional de Arte in Camagüey (1990) and the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana (1995).
- His materials include watercolour, acrylic, enamelled metal advertising signs and neon.
- He worked in Neon Art with Al Nodal in Los Angeles and Jeff Friedman of 'Let There Be Neon' in New York, leading to the public-art project Habana Light.
- He presented 'Havana Monopoly' and its current version 'Cryptopoly' at the Museo Mohammed VI in Morocco.
- He staged the ceremony performance for the 2019 SAG Awards in Los Angeles with Tony Schubert and support from Shelle and Klaus Moeller.
- His series include 'Palimpsestos' and 'Signs', centred on memory, time and history.
- He plans to convert his new Fontcalent studio into an open sculpture park and garden.
- The interview was conducted by José Luis Martínez Meseguer and published on 11 September 2026 by Plataforma de Arte Contemporáneo.
Entities
Artists
- Kadir López
- José Luis Martínez Meseguer
- Al Nodal
- Jeff Friedman
- François Mignault
- Michael Fletcher
- Eric Adam
- Tony Schubert
- Shelle Moeller
- Klaus Moeller
- Victoria Arribas Roldán
- Beatriz García Montalvo
- Wiktor V/R
- Ivonne
- Víctor
Institutions
- Plataforma de Arte Contemporáneo
- Escuela Elemental de Arte El Cucalambé
- Escuela Profesional de Arte
- Instituto Superior de Arte
- Altima International
- BAW 'Artist in Residence'
- Let There Be Neon
- Sky Neon
- Habana Light
- Museo Mohammed VI
- SAG Awards
- The World's Best Events
- creAtIva | AI Art Book
Locations
- Las Tunas
- Cuba
- Fontcalent
- Alicante
- Spain
- Camagüey
- La Habana
- Havana
- United States
- Palm Beach
- Florida
- Pennsylvania
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Quebec
- Philadelphia
- Morocco