Manolo Valdés First Swiss Exhibition at Museo Casa Rusca, Locarno

The Museo Casa Rusca in Locarno is hosting the first Swiss exhibition of Spanish artist Manolo Valdés (born 1942, Valencia), curated by director Rudy Chiappini. Running until October 6, the show brings together over fifty significant works from the mid-1980s to the present, including paintings and sculptures of elegant ladies, majestic female heads, and equestrian statues of noblewomen and knights. Valdés, who began with Pop art before shifting to a dialogue with Spanish Golden Age masters like Zurbarán, Velázquez, and Ribera, reinterprets historical works in a unique contemporary style. The exhibition also features recent pieces inspired by French artist Matisse. Scientific collaborator Alessia Bottaro notes that visitors will encounter Velázquez's equestrian portraits, Ribera's crucifixions, and Zurbarán's works alongside newer Matisse-inspired pieces. The display spans Casa Rusca's rooms and courtyard, showcasing Valdés's diverse techniques and experiments.