Rolando Olmedo

Rolando Olmedo is the creator and director of INCAL and its music group Los Andes. he co-ordinates many of the activities which we hold.

Visit the gallery to view paintings available for purchase, and also a selection from various private collections....

Rolando was born in Copiapo, Chile. He Studied at the University of Chile, School of Theatrical Arts, and worked with community groups in Santiago. He was in charge of the Department of Arts and Culture of the "Consejeria Nacional de Desarrollo Social' in the southern region of Santiago.

After the 1973 Military Coup headed by Augusto Pinochet, Rolando had to leave his homeland, and arrived in New Zealand in 1975.

In New Zealand Rolando has principally been involved in teaching drama within the community. He has chosen to work with the unemployed, in conjunction with the Labour Department in training schemes such as PEP, TAPS, ACCESS, TOPS, and also in psychodrama, popular theatre, deaf and IHC drama groups.

Rolando is a multifaceted community arts worker who has created hundreds of Art projects while in New Zealand. These include, Drama, Music, Poetry, Short Stories, Street Theatre, Painting...and the list goes on.

He has written severals plays including Venceremos, Nelson Mandela, Violeta, Gypsy passion, Victor, Navidad in the Cordillera, Penas del Bandoneon, etc.

He has written several short stories, and a bilingual book of Poems, titled "Poemas of Exile". He has held poetry recitals with some of New Zealand's major poets, including Sam Hunt, Kevin Ireland, and Bill Manhire.

He created and was the Director for 8 years of the first drama group in the Manawatu for the deaf, called "Madedra"

He has created several Latin American Folk Music Groups, including Grupo Los Andes.

He has also explored painting, producing two exibitions in Palmerston North, Square Edge Art Centre Gallery and Broadway Restaurant and two in Far Site Gallery in Wellington.

His paintings reflect his life, and activities. They show his friends and the harmony of memories throughout his life and his commitment to those with the greatest needs. His style is direct,simple, with bright colours and human themes.