How does Osvaldo Sequeira’s background in animation influence his painting?

Sequeira’s professional history in 2D and 3D animation—as a founding member of Estudio Flex—is central to his visual language. He often incorporates "expanded painting," where he uses cinematic techniques like transparency, sequence, and layering to capture movement. His work focuses on "cinematics," treating the canvas not as a still image but as a caught moment in a much larger, fluid narrative.

What is the central theme of the "Ser/Humano" (Human Being) series?

In the "Ser/Humano" series, Sequeira investigates the vulnerability and strength of the human condition. He often paints on transparent surfaces like methacrylate or uses fractured brushwork to suggest that the human figure is inseparable from its environment. This series explores how our emotions and physical presence are filtered through the "noise" of modern life, creating a dialogue between the internal self and the external world.

What technical style does Sequeira use to create his "theatrical" compositions?

Sequeira adopts a "neo-academic" approach influenced by theater and scenic design. He prefers dramatic lighting and avoids perfectly smooth finishes, choosing instead "ragged edges" and rough scumbling. This technique ensures the work feels alive and vibrant from a distance, mimicking how a theatrical backdrop must maintain its energy and character even when viewed from the back of an auditorium.

Has Osvaldo Sequeira received national honors for his work?

Yes, he is a highly recognized figure in the Costa Rican art community. In 2019, he was awarded the Francisco Amighetti National Award for Visual Arts in the two-dimensional category for his "Ser/Humano" exhibition. He is also a member of the International Association of Art (UNESCO) and the co-founder of the Santa Gráfica art academy in San José, where he helps shape the next generation of visual artists.

Osvaldo Sequeira

Costa Rica, b.1969

Lives and works in San José, Costa Rica

Available Sold CV

Commission

Osvaldo Sequeira captures intimate scenes, centring on the human figure and enigmatic characters. Through his paintings, Sequeira portrays the intricate expressions and personalities that define the human experience, prompting viewers to ponder the essence of humanity and their own reality.

Having graduated from the University of Costa Rica with a degree in Graphic Design, Sequeira initially embarked on a career in animation. He founded the animation studio Estudio Flex, which gained international and national recognition and he is one of the founding members of Santa Gráfica, an art academy encompassing animation, comics, painting, drawing, character design, and bookmaking.

Drawing on his background in animation, Sequeira develops a distinctive painting style, using his foundation in design principles, aesthetics, and visual narrative. He emphasises the significance of drawing, sketching, and structural analysis in developing an understanding of linear perspective and volumetric representation. Drawing from direct observation is a crucial aspect of his creative process, allowing him to “see” and capture moments truthfully. Influenced by impressionist artists like Joaquín Sorolla and Gustave Caillebotte, he practices “en plein air” painting, maintaining an observational edge while working directly from nature. His 100% representational work relies on a solid command of perspective and form structure, highlighting the pivotal role of drawing in his artistic expression.

Sequeira has shown extensively across Costa Rica, including most recently at Etérea Gallery in San José, and his work can be found in collections worldwide, including in Spain, Colombia and the USA. Whether portraying the streets of San José or the beaches of Guanacaste, his art invites viewers to explore the intersection of reality and imagination through the lens of the human experience.

Why We Love This Artist
Osvaldo has a way of finding the parts of Costa Rican life that rarely make it onto a canvas — an ordinary street in San José, a quiet riverbank, the everyday rhythms of people going about their day. His canvases sing with light and atmosphere, a vibrancy that comes from time spent observing. That same attentiveness carries into his figures — a posture, a glance, a moment between two people caught with real nuance.