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Diriamba culture presented in exhibition of drawings

Arquimedes Hernández | Aug 28, 2013

Precolumbian style drawings in the exposition. | Photographer: Arquimides Hernández

Diriambino artist captures the beauty and culture of his city on his pen drawings.

"Testimonio de Diriamba" is the name of the chinese ink, pen and ‘’plumilla’’ exhibition of Renald Montiel, presented by the Nicaraguan Institute of Culture (INC ) in the Room Rodrigo Peñalba at the Culture Palace, open until September 5th. A native from Diriamba, Montiel presents in his drawings a testament to the culture and life of his native city , where you can see old houses from Diriamba and its colorful Güegüense dances; also you find drawings of pre-Columbian pieces , among which you can find pictures of metates , indigenous pre-Hispanic gods and utensils .

The preparation to develop this exhibition began since January and ended in August. The artist spent long days of work to make his exhibition possible, said Montiel. Furthermore, this artist is preparing for his second presentation, which will start working on starting from September , so it can be ready for May 2014. For this second exhibition the dominant theme will pre-Columbian Aztec and Mayan mythology .

Renald began his adventures in art since he was 19, and is described as an autodidact, since he never had studied in a school of art during his 30 year. And to attest this, he says that in his previous jobs he worked as a house painter and a welder. Montiel , on his own merits , has come to get national awards , including second place in drawing at the Drawing and Painting Contest "Sandino, Light and Truth 2009" , with his piece "Here is the General!"

Emilio Zambrana, press officer and director of the Department of Literature of the INC , said that currently they are supporting young artists that stand out as being autodidact, and as an example he cited the work of Montiel as the next generation of Carlos Montenegro, the greatest exponent of ‘’plumilla’’ in the country. Zambrana also added that the INC aims to place the arts at the ascendancy point, and it provides tools and theories for artists as Montiel continue working in their disciplines.
The exhibition "Testimonio de Diriamba" consists of 33 drawings, and anyone interested can visit Monday through Friday during business hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. , at the National Culture Palace, located at the south side of the Revolution Plaza, in the old center of Managua.

A Güegüense drawing in “Testimonio de Diriamba” exhibition.

Translated by Cynthia Cordero