Sala Rekalde has unveiled Circus, a new exhibition featuring the work of bilbao-born artist Alejandra Icaza, who is recognised as one of the most distinctive creators of her generation. The exhibition, presented by Leixuri Arrizabalaga, the deputy for Basque, Culture and Sport, along with the artist and curator Miguel Fernández-Cid, will run from 30 October 2026 to 28 February 2027.
This exhibition offers a retrospective of Icaza's artistic journey, which has spanned nearly four decades and includes experiences in cities such as New York, London, Madrid, and various locations across Europe and America. Icaza has studied at prestigious institutions, including the Camden Art Centre and St. Martin's School of Art in London, and has built an impressive international career with solo and group exhibitions in countries like Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.
The title Circus encapsulates many recurring themes in Icaza's work: play, memory, creative challenge, discipline, and experimentation. Her visual universe blends drawing, painting, words, symbols, and collage, creating compositions rich in personal references that invite public interpretation.
Leixuri Arrizabalaga stated, "The exhibition also incorporates new works created specifically for this occasion, adding special interest to a project that allows us to contemplate both the evolution and continuity of a consolidated artist."
The exhibition is anchored by a particularly significant image for Icaza: a black-and-white photograph of a girl drawing with chalk on asphalt, which served as the image for her first solo exhibition in Bilbao in 1989. Almost forty years later, the playful, observational, and creative freedom captured in that moment remains evident in her artistic production, which has evolved from small formats to larger-scale compositions while maintaining a strong visual identity.
Visitors will discover works that challenge the boundaries between figuration and abstraction. Icaza constructs her compositions using colour backgrounds created from a unique palette, blending oil and wax, on which she draws incisions reminiscent of printmaking processes. Her paintings are designed as open visual fields, filled with recurring symbols that form an emotional hieroglyphic. These images evoke childhood memories and various artistic traditions, from Flemish painting to Eastern miniatures, conveying a constant tension between the familiar and the dreamlike, simplicity and meticulous construction.
According to curator Miguel Fernández-Cid, the concept of the circus serves as a perfect metaphor for approaching Icaza's work: a space where enjoyment and demand coexist, balance and risk, precision and freedom. This artistic practice invites viewers to engage, interpret, and establish personal connections with the artworks.
In conjunction with this exhibition, Icaza has created new paper works and the sculpture Manzanas (2026), made from wood, glass, and paint, which will be visible from the Alameda de Rekalde through the gallery's window. These new creations interact with works from various stages of her career, showcasing both the coherence and evolution of her ongoing exploration of painting's limits.
Alejandra Icaza's work is included in significant national and international public and private collections, including those of the Coca-Cola Foundation, the Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea (CGAC), and the DA2 in Salamanca, among others.
Activities at Sala Rekalde
The exhibition will be complemented by an extensive programme of activities organised by Sala Rekalde, designed to engage the public with Alejandra Icaza's creative universe and delve into the conceptual, technical, and thematic aspects of her work. Highlights include guided tours led by Icaza herself, where she will share insights into her creative process and the main concepts present in the exhibition. These sessions are scheduled for 4 November and 9 December 2026, as well as 13 January and 10 February 2027, at 18:00.
The programme also features the Art and Memory Workshop, an initiative that encourages participants to observe, analyse, and interpret the exhibited works, using everyday memory as a tool for preventing cognitive decline. This workshop will take place on 6, 13, and 20 November at 12:00.
Families can participate in a series of educational workshops designed to explore and enjoy the artist's pictorial work together. These activities will occur on 14 and 28 November, 12 and 19 December, 16 and 23 January, and 13 and 27 February.
Additionally, children and young people will have access to specific offerings such as On the Road, an English-language workshop aimed at children aged 6 to 12 that promotes creativity through art, scheduled for 8 November, 13 December 2026, and 31 January 2027. Laino Artean will also provide an innovative experience combining art, technology, and creativity for youths aged 10 to 13, with sessions on 15 and 22 November 2026 and 14 and 21 February 2027.
Furthermore, Sala Rekalde will offer tailored visit programmes and activities for educational centres, associations, and groups, allowing for personalised tours based on their interests and needs. These proposals will be available upon request.
