Identity, Art, and Cultural Diplomacy Between Uruguay
At the intersection of tradition and avant-garde emerges the work of Pablo Echeverría, a Uruguayan visual artist of international renown, whose creations transcend borders and celebrate the world’s cultural richness. Art connects cultures, unites generations, and builds bridges across time. In this context, the convergence of contemporary creativity and ancestral knowledge takes on unique significance.
NEKA Ecuador. Tradition, Identity, and Artisan Excellence
NEKA Ecuador is much more than a company, it is a guardian of the history, identity, and culture of its country. Known internationally as the Panama Hat, the Ecuahat is 100% native to Ecuador and has been declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. NEKA Ecuador not only preserves the ancestral technique but elevates it, promoting the artistic intervention of Pablo Echeverría, transforming each hat into a unique work that connects tradition with innovation and the local with the universal.
Artistic Collaboration: A Bridge Between Uruguay and Ecuador
The collaboration between Pablo Echeverría and NEKA Ecuador merges contemporary art with ancestral tradition. The capsule collection, to be presented at Ecuador Fashion Week, consists of three concepts: ocean, mountain, and valley. Each design reflects the country’s geography through shades of green, blue, and ochre, symbolizing the identity of each region and turning each hat into an artistic map.
Career and Legacy of Pablo Echeverría
Throughout his career, Pablo Echeverria has received multiple awards for his contribution to art and culture, including distinctions that highlight both his creative excellence and his work in cultural promotion.
Each year, his work travels to 14 countries across 3 continents, in partnership with RED TREE ART GALLERY, leaving a profound impact wherever it is exhibited. He was invited by the Mission Zero Hunger Foundation in India, where he donated large-scale works as a tangible gesture of solidarity.
As a promoter of the Uruguayan Art Ambassador Movement, Echeverría works to position Uruguayan creativity on international stages, fostering cultural collaboration and projects with social impact. His philanthropic work is realized through the art that that leaves a mark program, bringing art to public schools and promoting a future where artistic education is accessible to all. 29