Manolo Valdes

The multiform sculptural works by one of the leading figures of the contemporary international art scene.

Edited by Javier Molins, the book features some of the most iconic and impressive monumental works by the Spanish artist from the beginnings to the present.

Manolo Valdés (1942) is renowned for his monumental sculptures that blend classical influences with contemporary aesthetics. In 2024, his large-scale works have been displayed in several prestigious locations worldwide, including Venice, where his twelve Reina Mariana and a monumental Infanta Margarita were placed in Piazzetta San Marco. His sculptures also graced the City of Arts and Science in Valencia, the Botanical Garden in New York, the Orchard Road and Botanical Garden in Singapore, and the iconic Dubai, where they created a striking contrast with the modern skyline. In Paris, Valdés’s monumental pieces have been showcased in Paris at Place Vendôme and Palais Royal, adding a new dimension to these historic landmarks. Additionally, the Château de Chambord featured his sculptures, offering a fascinating juxtaposition between the Renaissance architecture and contemporary artistic expression, while on Broadway Avenue in New York, Valdés’s works captured the attention of passersby.

Impassioned by artists of the past ranging from Zurbarán to Velázquez, Matisse to Lichtenstein, Valdés finds more than just inspiration in their paintings; he uses their work “as a pretext” to create an entirely new aesthetic object (a painting or sculpture that while clearly sourced from a known composition is a uniquely brilliant work of art in itself.

Author Biography

Contemporary art curator, writer and advisor, Javier Molins has curated exhibitions internationally in leading venues across the globe. He has worked with some of the 20th and 21st centuries most esteemed artists. Molins is often called on his expertise in the press and by foundations to advise on programming and acquisitions.