The CODAC (Olontense Center for Contemporary Art) in Gibraleón becomes the latest venue for the exhibition “Figures”, which brings together portraits by the artist Monak Rodríguez and landscapes by Pedro Quesada. As reported by the OCIb (Ibero-American Cultural Autumn), this exhibition opens its doors after being presented in different cultural spaces in the province of Huelva and can be visited in Gibraleón until January 17, 2026. It thus concludes the agenda of the eighteenth edition of the OCIb and consolidates itself as a reference within the Andalusian artistic landscape.
According to the OCIb, “figuraciones” previously visited the José Luis García Palacios Cultural Center in Huelva, the Vázquez Díaz Museum in Nerva and the Charo Olías Exhibition Hall on Isla Cristina. After passing through Gibraleón, the presentation is planned at the cultural center of the Caja Rural del Sur Foundation in Córdoba. This trip marked Huelva’s cultural calendar and reinforced the presence of Andalusian hyperrealism in the regional contemporary art agenda.
The exhibition brings together the works of Monak Rodríguez and Pedro Quesada, considered two of the main representatives of hyperrealism in Andalusia, according to OCIb. The project is based on the representation of the human figure and the landscape and represents an interaction between both perspectives through the technical mastery and artistic expression of its creators. The OCIb explained that both artists explore visible reality from individual approaches and share a deep sensitivity to capture the essence of their subjects, thus creating a visual dialogue that characterizes the exhibition proposal.
The official opening of “figuraciones” in Gibraleón was attended by Helen Gómez, Councilor for Culture of the Gibraleón City Council; Jaime de Vicente, President of the Ibero-American Cultural Association (ACI); and the artists themselves, who took part in the opening of the exhibition together with the audience. During the opening ceremony, the Councilor for Culture emphasized the importance of presenting the works of Rodríguez and Quesada, emphasizing the value of their contributions as well as the recognition that the exhibition has received in the OCIb program. According to the OCIb itself, the council described both creators as “tasters of light and details” and appreciated the stylistic difference they offer within hyperrealism.
For his part, Jaime de Vicente recalled that “Figures” was the exhibition chosen to open the OCIb 2025 program in September and now serves as the closing event of the eighteenth edition of the event. As published by the OCIb, Vicente emphasized the symbolic nature of the exhibition, which travels through different municipalities of the province, thus giving large sections of the population access to artistic proposals of this level.
According to OCIb, Monak Rodríguez stands out for his ability to represent the human face through technical precision, allowing to explore the effect of light on the skin and the expressive diversity of the gesture. His paintings are characterized by capturing emotional nuances, adding depth to the depiction and capturing a vision that goes beyond mere photographic reproduction.
As for Pedro Quesada, the OCIb highlights his contribution of a contemplative perspective on the coastal landscapes of Huelva. The artist captures scenes of daily life and nature in works that, in the words of the OCIb, invite the audience to closely observe the environment. Light and color play a central role in his paintings, reflecting the visual richness of the Huelva coast and adding a poetic dimension to everyday life.
As part of OCIb programming, “figurations” creates a dialogue between two classic genres of painting: portrait and landscape. According to the OCIb’s announcement, the exchange between both disciplines offers the visitor current approaches to figuration and shows the coexistence of traditional techniques and contemporary approaches. The combination of both forms of expression contributes to the diversification of the cultural offer exhibited in the province of Huelva and strengthens the projection of its artists.
In addition to the “Figures” itinerary, the OCIb also reported on the recent opening of the “Tiempo & Tempo” exhibition at the Casa de la Provincia in Seville, which brings together the collections of Huelva artist Juan Carlos Castro Crespo and Mexican photographer Santiago García Galván. On the same day, according to the OCIb, the awards ceremony for the “La quinta del OCIb” competition, whose aim is to promote the creativity of young artists, took place at the La Morana social center in Huelva. The winning works were exhibited alongside works by Huelva artist Juanjo Kamatxo, expanding the scope of the competition’s cultural program.
The OCIb, in its eighteenth edition, is born at the initiative of the Ibero-American Cultural Association and has main sponsors such as the Provincial Council of Huelva, the Caja Rural del Sur Foundation and the Huelva City Council. The OCIb was also supported by the Junta de Andalucía, the International University of Andalusia (UNIA), the University of Huelva and the Port Authority of Huelva. According to the OCIb, the expansion of activities to various communities was possible thanks to the support of communities such as Aracena, Ayamonte, Beas, Isla Cristina, Minas de Riotinto, Nerva and a network of public and private entities in Spain and other countries of the Ibero-American community.
With the arrival of “Figures” at CODAC, the province culminates an exhibition phase focused on contemporary realism, confirming the role of the OCIb in the cultural dynamization of Western Andalusia and in the promotion of regional artists in different reference spaces.
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