Balls – Giant statue in Montevideo inspires soccer cartoon

A short cartoon by Uruguayan artist Matias Bervejillo, inspired by the naked "Greeting Man" statute, a gift from Korea, which stands in a Montevideo barrio.

By Karen A Higgs

Art, Music & Film | Football

Last updated on January 15, 2014

Here’s a short cartoon by my very talented friend, Uruguayan artist and illustrator Matias Bervejillo.

“La Celeste” is the nickname for Uruguayan national football team. Celeste means sky blue and is the team shirt colour taken from the blue stripes on the national flag.

In 2012 a South Korean artist Yoo Young-ho bequeathed an six metre tall, light-blue coloured statue of a bowing man called “Greeting Man” to Montevideo. It stands overlooking the River Plate in the Buceo neighbourhood of the city. Greeting Man has become known locally—and not unaffectionately—as “Man gazing at his balls”.

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