PABLO ATCHUNGARRY´S MONUMENTAL MASTERPIECE: BRIDGING URUGUAY WITH THE GLOBAL ART SCENE

At the vibrant crossroads of Routes 104 and 10 in Maldonado, Uruguay, stands a breathtaking testament to artistic brilliance—“Butterfly of Life,” a stunning stainless steel sculpture soaring nearly 12 meters high and weighing an impressive 30 tons. Priced at a fantastic US$2 million ‒ this artwork was kindly given by the famous Uruguayan artist Pablo Atchugarry as a sincere gift to the people of Maldonado and his dear brother, Alejandro Atchugarry.

Pablo Atchugarry, a luminary in contemporary sculpture, has transformed Uruguay’s cultural landscape with his visionary approach to art. “Butterfly of Life” shows a daring change from his famous Carrara marble pieces ‒ using shiny stainless steel to make a lively symbol of life and connection. Made with care in Italy, the sculpture’s trip to Uruguay was a big task ‒ it needed seven containers and a special logistics team for safe travel. Before reaching Maldonado, the sculpture amazed people at the famous Teatro del Silencio festival in Tuscany ‒ an event the legendary Andrea Bocelli attended.

Atchugarry’s dedication to enriching his homeland through art is evident in every facet of this monumental donation. “I wanted to help Uruguay’s culture grow and create something that inspires future generations,” he says. This feeling connects strongly with the local people, as shown by the Municipality of Maldonado’s General Director of Administration and Human Resources. He envisions “Butterfly of Life” becoming a global icon, akin to the renowned La Mano monument in Punta del Este, attracting art enthusiasts and tourists worldwide.

Born in Montevideo, Pablo Atchugarry started his art journey with help from his painter father. Initially, he played with different materials like cement, iron, and wood ‒ this helped him learn about marble. A memorable trip to Carrara’s famous quarries in 1979 sparked his love for marble. Atchugarry splits his time between Lecco Italy ‒ Manantiales Uruguay ‒ and he started the Fundación Pablo Atchugarry in 2007. This place helps visual arts ‒ music ‒ and literature ‒ and aids people in sharing ideas and creativity.

Atchugarry’s sculptures tell potent stories ‒ they remind us how mountains form and how erosion shapes metals and minerals over time. Inspired by artists like Constantin Brancusi and Michelangelo ‒ his work shows that simple designs make marble look very beautiful. Each sculpture is a conversation between him and the stone ‒ the stone’s natural patterns guide the creative work ‒ showing its hidden tales with every careful tool strike.

“Butterfly of Life” beautifies Maldonado’s skyline and establishes Pablo Atchugarry as an essential art figure globally. His works adorn prestigious collections, including the National Museum of Visual Arts in Montevideo and the Perez Art Museum in Miami, and have been showcased in over 100 solo and collective exhibitions worldwide. From the serene “Seed of Hope” gracing the Uruguayan parliament’s gardens to his museum in Lecco, Italy, Atchugarry continues to inspire and captivate audiences with his extraordinary vision.

Experience the awe-inspiring union of nature and artistry with Pablo Atchugarry’s “Butterfly of Life”—a monumental celebration of life, culture, and global connection.