Montevideo’s Best Contemporary Art Galleries
Montevideo is one of the most important cultural hubs of South America. For centuries now, the city has been welcoming immigrants from all over the world, each with their own cultural heritage. The intensity of this cultural exchange is evident it Montevideo’s thriving art scene. We explore ten of the most interesting contemporary art galleries and museums in the Uruguayan capital.
Acatras Del Mercado
Art Gallery
Xippas
Art Gallery
Diana Saravia Galeria de Arte
Art Gallery, Museum
Espacio de Arte Contemporaneo
Espacio de Arte Contemporaneo
Espacio de Arte Contemporaneo is a recently established Uruguayan institution interested in the promotion of local and international art. Since its inauguration in 2010, Espacio de Arte Contemporaneo has proven its relevance on the South American art scene thanks to various high-profile exhibitions, among them a show by renowned Spanish artist Daniel Canogar. Canogar is known for his inventive use of discarded materials and visually striking installations. The four installations of Cuadratura, exhibited at the Espacio de Arte Contemporaneo, focused on the use of obsolete audiovisual media to create canvases onto which new images were projected. Found in the renovated space of the Miguelete Jail, EAC offers one of the most varied and dynamic calendars of contemporary art exhibitions in Uruguay.
Espacio de Arte Contemporaneo, Arenal Grande 1929, Montevideo, Uruguay, +598 2929 2066
EAC Daniel Canogar, Sikkamagnum, 210x210x25cm, 2013, Image courtesy of EAC and the artist | © Polly Yassin/BildmuseetCentro de Exposiciones Subte
Centro de Exposiciones Subte
The Centro de Exposiciones Subte is a cultural center dedicated to the production and promotion of art. With its three rooms, the XL, the M, and the XS, named according to their size, this cultural center exhibits the best of national and international art and receives over 60,000 visitors each year. The rigorous selection process ensures equal and democratic opportunities for the artists who wish to exhibit their work, as well as a high standard that makes Centro de Exposiciones Subte one of the most respected artistic hubs in Montevideo. Recent exhibitions include a show by Dalila Gonçalves, an artist who, through the use of perishable products and other materials, explores time as a medium of artistic expression.
Centro de Exposiciones Subte, 18 de Julio Ave, Montevideo, Uruguay, +598 2908 7643
Centro de Fotografia
Centro de Fotografia
The Centro de Fotografia is Uruguay’s main institution for the photographic arts. The center’s activities focus on the preservation Uruguay’s photographic heritage and the promotion of emerging talents. The archive boasts an impressive number of photographs, among which the oldest date back to 1860. Each year, the center offers an intense programme of exhibitions ranging from El Padre de Gardel, a photographic analysis of the research conducted by renowned filmmaker Ricardo Casas for his latest documentary, to Paisaje Uruguay: 5 Cuencas which focuses on the cultural heritage of rural Uruguay. Both the incredible archive and the excellent exhibitions are great reasons to visit the CDF.
Centro de Fotografia, Avenida 18 de Julio 885, Montevideo 11100, Uruguay, +598 21950 1219
© Centro de Fotografia de MontevideoGaleria del Paseo
Galeria del Paseo
After years of activity in Montevideo’s historical neighborhood, Galeria del Paseo relocated to its beautiful new home in 2004. Now found in the lively Manantiales in Punta del Este, Galeria del Paseo represents some of the most talented artists of the landscape of contemporary Uruguayan art. This stunning gallery organises innovative vernissages and exhibitions in Montevideo, often attracting eclectic crowds of young people and established collectors.
Galeria del Paseo, Ruta 10 Km.164, Manantiales, Montevideo, Uruguay, +598 42775 860
© Galeria del PaseoMVD
MVD
MVD was founded from the desire to give an exhibition space to emerging Uruguayan artists. Located near the iconic Mercado do Puerto in the Ciudad Vieja of Montevideo, this gallery showcases paintings and sculptures by dozens of Uruguayan and Latin American artists. The bond of trust and commitment that MVD creates with the artists it represents is one of its strong suits and a guarantee of the quality of the displayed artworks.
MVD, Yacare 1560 esq Piedras Mercado del Puerto, Montevideo, Uruguay, +598 2915 7952
© MVDSOA
Art Gallery
SOA
SOA –Simplemente Obras de Arte (‘simply works of art’) – is an art gallery with a unique concept – that of creating a relaxing place to encourage and foster a dialogue between artists and their public. This gallery, found in calle Consituyente, one of the main streets for design and art, is known for its exciting program of exhibitions and conferences with established Uruguayan artists. After admiring one of the many exhibitions, visitors can stop for a drink or a bite to eat at SOA’s Art Cafè, where delicious gastronomy meets art.
SOA, Constituyente 2046 Esq. Blanes, Montevideo, Uruguay, +598 2410 9763
© SOA The Bohemian Gallery and Museum of Contemporary Arts
Art Gallery
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