Neto Soul stands in front of his painting on The Rock for International Education Week in November 2024.
For Neto Soul, an international student from Brazil, enrolling at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the fulfillment of a dream to study in the United States.
“I started to search for art programs, and I discovered the studio art program here at UT,” he said. “It’s incredible the opportunities and the facilities they have, and the professors, the faculty.”
His UT journey began in August when he arrived on campus as a master’s student in the Studio Art program at the School of Art. What he found right away was a sense of belonging.
“The best part for me, I think, is the community,” Neto said. “Here at the university, I feel that there is this sense of community. I feel really welcome being here. That, as an international student that’s really important to me.”
He has attended events hosted by the Portuguese department and the International House, and enjoys the programs offered by the School of Art. As a result, he has met a lot of new faces and seen personal growth as well.
“It’s a different language and also a different culture,” Neto said. “One thing I’ve learned from being here is to listen more than talk. … I’ve learned to listen to people before I even start speaking. Also, I’ve learned there exists different ways to live your life. In Brazil I come from a little city. … Being here in Knoxville I’ve learned there is a similar dynamic among the people, but it’s also different.”
Neto has also grown as an artist.
“Since I came here I feel like I’ve become — I don’t believe a better artist, but an artist who has a different vision of the world, you know?” he said. “Because I’m in touch with different people. Artists from Russia, Iran, China, Nigeria. So that, for me, is really important to have this opportunity to share my own experience and to learn from other artists.”
In November, Neto designed a piece to be displayed on the Rock during International Education Week in November. He drew inspiration from the Olympic rings and the vision of unity and collaboration they represent.
He sees art as a chance to express his own background and relationships with others.
“My inspiration is my relation with Brazil but also my relation with Afro-Latin American narratives,” Neto said. “When I think about my art, I see it as an intimacy process. I feel when I’m creating and searching for images and colors inside me and I try to express that through my art.”
Neto looks forward to continuing to grow as a person and artist on the UT campus as he continues his master’s program
“I want to expand my art and understand more about different cultures,” he said. “One of the main reasons I came here to the United States is that I feel the structure and the facilities help me to expand my vision about my own work. So, for the next years I want to expand my art and my process and also learn new techniques and mediums.”