Irudika opens its Residency Exhibition, featuring Varya Yakovleva and Rocío Álvarez in Vitoria-Gasteiz
The international professional illustration fair, Irudika has presented an exhibition showcasing the work created by Varya Yakovleva and Rocío Álvarez during their artist residency programme organised by the Citè Internationale de la Bande Dessinée d'Angoulême, the Casa del Autor in Zapopán and the Bilbaoarte Fundazioa Foundation, which ran from 5 March to 26 May, concluding with the opening of this exhibition.
IRUDIKA RESIDENCES 2026 | CHAPTER 08.
Our last week in Mexico was packed; we visited Chucho’s workshop with CAZ (amaizing!), and then we went on a trip with the other residents to two craft markets near Zapopan: the one in Tonalá, where we bought loads of alebrijes and various gifts, and also the one in Tlaquepaque, one of the so-called ‘magical towns’, where we also found some really cool handcrafted figures, masks and paper dolls.
IRUDIKA RESIDENCES 2026 | CHAPTER 07.
Third week and almost last in Mexico. Time is elastic; it can feel both long and short at the same time. Maybe it's best not to choose ground floor rooms, just a little tip.
IRUDIKA RESIDENCES 2026 | CHAPTER 06.
The week’s gone well, I’ve been drawing here and there and making a bit of progress on the project. I’ve taken the plunge and tried my hand at making papier-mâché masks and a slightly experimental animated analogue reel of a swimmer in a dumscrolling style – let’s see how it turns out. The masks are still in the very early stages; there’s still a lot of trial and error ahead before I get it right, but we’re getting there.
IRUDIKA RESIDENCES 2026 | CHAPTER 05.
VARYA The residence in Zapopane is magical. It’s sweltering outside, but you don’t feel it at all. There are lots of colors, especially blue, lots of dogs, shoes, and beautiful people.
IRUDIKA RESIDENCES 2026 | CHAPTER 03.
We’ve had some incredible sunshine in Angoulême this week, though it’s just come to an end today with a very cold wind that looks set to stick around.