Centro Pérez Siquier

Centro Pérez Siquier is a photography museum in Olula del Río (Almería), dedicated entirely to the work of Carlos Pérez Siquier.

What is this place?

The center occupies a building in the Ciudad de la Cultura complex in Olula del Río, a small town in the province of Almería best known for its stone-processing industry (it is home to the Cosentino company). Run by the Fundación de Arte Ibáñez-Cosentino, the roughly 550 m² facility opened its doors in September 2017. It was the first museum in Spain devoted entirely to the work of a single photographer.

Who is Carlos Pérez Siquier?

Carlos Pérez Siquier was born in Almería in 1930 and is regarded as one of the pioneers of the photographic avant-garde in postwar Spain. In 2003 he received the Premio Nacional de Fotografía, Spain's top national award in the field. In 2016 he transferred his complete photographic archive to the foundation on loan, paving the way for the museum bearing his name to open the following year.

What is on display inside?

The exhibition is spread across five rooms that guide visitors through successive stages of the artist's career:

• Room 1 — the black-and-white "La Chanca" series, documentary, neorealist images from the 1950s
• Room 2 — "La Chanca" in color, works from the early 1960s
• Room 3 — the "La Playa" series, color beach photography from the 1970s
• Room 4 — the "Color del Sur" series
• Room 5 — abstract and conceptual work

This layout traces how the photographer moved away from black-and-white social documentary toward color and, later, formal experimentation — an evolution rarely shown in such depth in one place.

How do you plan a visit?

The museum is located at Calle Museo 7, 04860 Olula del Río. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, and on Sunday mornings only (11:00–14:00). It is closed on Mondays and public holidays. It's worth calling or emailing the foundation ahead of time (tel. 950 44 10 27, email info@fundacionarteibanezcosentino.org), especially for group visits.

Is it worth combining with other attractions?

Olula del Río lies inland, in a region known for marble quarrying and processing, so a visit here pairs naturally with a tour of the nearby towns of the Comarca del Mármol. Visitors interested in Pérez Siquier's photography may also want to head to the city of Almería, where the Alcazaba occasionally hosts temporary exhibitions organized by the Centro Andaluz de la Fotografía (CAF) — an institution the photographer collaborated with and which also holds part of his collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centro Pérez Siquier the same as the Centro Andaluz de la Fotografía in Almería? No. Centro Pérez Siquier is a separate, smaller museum in Olula del Río, run by the Fundación de Arte Ibáñez-Cosentino. The Centro Andaluz de la Fotografía (CAF) is a distinct institution based in the city of Almería, though both are connected to the same photographer's work.

When did the museum open? In September 2017, as the first museum in Spain devoted to the work of a single photographer.

How many exhibition rooms does the center have? Five, arranged thematically and chronologically, from the black-and-white "La Chanca" series to abstract work.

Is admission paid? Exact pricing and any discounts are best confirmed directly with the foundation by phone or email before visiting, since terms can change.