Starting on 7 May 2026, the GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts in Leipzig, Germany, will host Paraguayan art as part of the exhibition The Soul of Objects: Applied Arts from Latin America (El alma de los objetos. Artes aplicadas de América Latina). The selection committee chose art studio TOBA – El Rostro del Arte (The Face of Art) to represent Tobatí’s art.
Luján Cambariere curates the exhibition, featuring 200 works by 56 artists from 13 countries, showcasing Latin America’s diversity. Among the pieces on display are masks, talismans, altars, everyday domestic objects, clothing, textiles rich in history, furniture, and lighting.
Artists crafted most of these works from natural materials such as fibres, wood, clay, and copper. Together, they highlight the close relationship between tradition, territory, and contemporary artistic creation.
TOBA: a family dream
TOBA is a shop and workshop dedicated to showcasing the work of Tobatí artisans and giving them international exposure. Created by Edgar and Romina Figueredo in 2023, TOBA began as a family dream, Edgar says in conversation with The Asunción Times.
“TOBA was created as a family initiative to value, promote, and create opportunities for Tobatí artisans, driven by a desire to preserve the cultural identity of our city. It began as a space to promote the work of more than 20 local artisans.”
“We started in June 2023, and TOBA has grown into a shop and workshop, also promoting experiences such as the Experiential Art Circuit (Circuito Vivencial del Arte), and positioning Tobatí as a destination for art and culture.”
Support from the Instituto Paraguayo de Artesanía, André Vázquez, and Luján Cambariere advances recognition of these artisans.
The Leipzig exhibition will open on 6 May 2026 and will be open to the public from 7 May to 27 September 2026 during museum hours. Several activities will take place throughout the exhibition, and a special-edition book accompanying the show will also be available.
An expression of heritage
TOBA will represent Paraguay with 16 masks carved from timbó wood, created by children from Compañía Rosado and students from the Taller de Arte y Cultura Kamba’i and the Banda Kamba’i.
The Banda Kamba’i project began with TOBA and is directed by master artisan Teófilo Portillo. Its purpose is to preserve an ancestral tradition of music and dance known as Kamba Jeroky. More than 15 children participate, using music, clothing, and expression to preserve local identity. Its aim is to safeguard a living heritage of history, values, and culture for future generations.
