Vietnam and Uruguay Deepen Ties Through Creative Arts

The exhibition showcases 43 artworks created by artist Yandi Monardo, his colleagues, and students from the Vietnam University of Fine Arts. The exhibition will be open to the public from September 5-7.

The Uruguayan Embassy to Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies, and the Vietnam Institute of American Studies, presents the “Yandi Monardo in Vietnam – Creative Encounters” exhibition (Photo: Valerie Mai)

During the exhibition, Uruguayan Ambassador to Vietnam Raúl Juan Pollak Giampietro highlighted the event as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Uruguay (1993-2023). Despite the geographical distance, the people of both countries share a close bond and a warm affection. Through the exhibition, Vietnamese artists, lecturers, and students are introduced to a new art scene, fostering stronger connections with Uruguay.

Dang Thi Phong Lan, Vice Principal in charge of Vietnam University of Fine Arts, expressed the significance of this event for the university – an opportunity for Vietnamese lecturers, artists, and students to learn about Uruguayan culture and art. As part of the exhibition, 10 exceptional students from the Department of Painting at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts participated in hands-on sessions in Yandi Monardo’s workshop. The students learned and applied new drawing techniques to create their own works and engaged in discussions about ideas and future plans. This allowed them to gain valuable insights into creative techniques and exchange artistic ideas with artist Yandi Monardo and his colleagues.

Artist Yandi Monardo at the exhibition (Photo: Valerie Mai)

Yandi Monardo’s project has been implemented in various countries. When bringing the project to Vietnam, he was impressed by the enthusiasm and curiosity of Vietnamese artists when introduced to his creative techniques. Vietnamese and Uruguayan art share many similarities, including the use of colors and a strong sense of solidarity among artists in art galleries. Yandi Monardo expressed how every experience in Vietnam inspires him, particularly his favorite destination, Sa Pa, where he had the opportunity to interact with ethnic communities. He also expressed his love for pho, which he could eat every morning, and praised Vietnamese coffee.

Nguyen Thi Nhien, a student from Vietnam University of Fine Arts who participated in Yandi Monardo’s workshop, shared her excitement about the new and liberal style she learned, as well as the use of powder and acrylic paint to create artworks – techniques that she hadn’t been taught at the university. She expressed her intention to integrate these new techniques into her own art to convey her unique personality.

Nguyen Thi Nhien and her artwork (Photo: Valerie Mai)

Currently residing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Yandi Monardo has made significant contributions to the development of arts, education, and cultural projects in the Los Cabos community. He has also provided art spaces for local and international artists, both emerging and established. He is currently collaborating with Yana Aguirre, Director of the Los Cabos Art Gallery, on the “Art for the World” project, which has been developed over the past 20 years in various locations across different countries. The project has visited educational centers, indigenous communities in Latin America, and museums and universities in the USA, Sweden, Germany, and Spain.

As part of the series of activities celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Uruguay, Yandi Monardo has brought this project to Vietnam. From September 5-7, Yandi Monardo organized workshops at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies, and the Vietnam Institute of American Studies.