Yubi Kirindongo turns 80
Yubi Kirindongo turned 80 last Saturday, January 24. To mark the occasion, Josée Thissen-Rojer presented him with a token of appreciation on behalf of Curaçao Art.
Hubert ‘Yubi’ Marcolino Kirindongo (1946) has been active as a visual artist since 1970. His home on Ser’i Kandela is set up as a museum with a sculpture garden and is open to the public. Yubi regularly welcomes schools there and enjoys introducing students to his work and way of seeing things.
Yubi gained international fame with sculptures made from chrome car bumpers. However, his oeuvre is multifaceted. He works with materials such as car tires, animal bones and skulls, plastic, tin and scrap metal. He sees discarded items as raw materials: he recognizes their potential and gives the materials new life in his art. Even at 80, Yubi still works in his studio every day, and his creativity remains undiminished.
His art can be seen in various places on Curaçao. Among his best-known works are the metal gate from 2001 at the Zegu roundabout, which was named Plenchi di tráfiko Hubert M. Kirindongo ‘Yubi’ in 2012, and the peace monument at Plasa di Pas, at the intersection of Snipweg and S.B.N. Karel Doormanweg from 1986.
Throughout his career Yubi received various awards and recognitions. In 1997, he received the Cola Debrot Prize in Curaçao. In 2014, Museum Beelden aan Zee in The Hague presented a major retrospective exhibition of his work, attracting a record number of visitors. The accompanying monograph ‘Yubi Kirindongo, Rebelde di Alma i Kurpa’, was published in Papiamento, Dutch and English.
In 2022, the documentary ‘Yubismo, bida i Arte di Yubi Kirindongo’, directed by Corry van Heijningen, was released. The film offers an intimate portrait and highlights Yubi’s significance for a new generation of artists.
Yubi recently served as a jury member for the exhibition ‘Despensa i Pordon’ (October 2, 2025 – January 10, 2026), organized by Curaçao Art, together with Lusette Verboom and Daisy Casimiri. Within that context three awards were given to participating artists for exceptional achievements.
On the occasion of his 80th birthday, Curaçao Art visited Yubi last week and presented him with a gift. During that visit, photos were taken in the museum and in his workshop. Curaçao Art congratulates Yubi Kirindongo and wishes him good health, happiness, and inspiration for the years ahead.
© When reproducing the text above, please credit the source: Curaçao Art®️ www.curacao-art.com. The artist retains all image rights of their artworks. All photographs by Ken Wong for Curaçao Art.
