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.
Varya Yakovleva is a Russian illustrator, animator and visual artist. Exile and displacement have profoundly shaped her work: whilst her early pieces respond directly to war and the body’s reaction to violence, today she explores inner landscapes of memory, loss and resilience. A recurring theme in her work is the feminine: the body as a vessel for sensory experience and a bridge between personal and collective narratives.
Rocío Álvarez is an animation director, illustrator and painter. In this exhibition, she presents *Me resbala*, an exploration of social media algorithms and the perverse nature of overexposure to endless scrolling. It is an animation about the choice to empty one’s mind, even at the risk of losing one’s sense of purpose. The artist confronts the contradictions between what we believe to be right and what we are willing to do in the turbulent times we live in. Armed conflicts, the obvious signs of climate change… a whole host of contemporary existential anxieties within our reach, in our pockets, broadcast live. Rocío holds a degree in Fine Arts and has created animations for theatre productions, museums, brands and television bumpers, as well as illustrations for posters, murals and animated portraits.
Both artists will also exhibit material produced during their residencies in Angoulême, Zapopan and Bilbao, presented as a travel diary featuring various sketchbooks, experiential illustrations and a range of other materials.
The exhibition features the official poster and the animation that will serve to promote the tenth edition of the international event. Both works were created during this residency period: the poster by Varya and the animation by Rocío.
The exhibition opened on Tuesday 26 May and will remain open at the Casa del Cordón until 26 June, with free admission. Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 2 pm, at Cuchillería, 24.
The call for applications for the Irudika 2027 Residencies opened on 26 May, with full details and terms and conditions available at irudika.eus.
