Júlia Mota Albuquerque is a Brazilian artist known for her large-scale paintings and murals. Her vibrant and expressive artworks enhance public spaces in various European cities, and since 2024, one of her pieces has been on display in the Czech Republic.
Júlia Mota Albuquerque is a Brazilian artist currently residing in Berlin, where she moved to pursue her studies. She explains her journey, noting, "I played tennis, which led to a scholarship, allowing me to study and train in the United States. After finishing school, I was uncertain about my future but knew I wanted to live abroad. So, I chose Berlin because I had friends there and wanted to continue my education."
Her artistic career began during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil when she created her first murals. Before that, she focused on illustration, particularly branding, advertising, and publications. However, she gradually shifted her focus to large-scale paintings, which became so fulfilling that she moved away from illustration to concentrate fully on mural art. In addition to murals, Júlia enjoys experimenting with various media, incorporating graffiti, tufting, and object painting into her work, and she has plans for large installations in urban spaces.
Júlia Mota Albuquerque has always prioritized the legality of her work in public spaces. During the pandemic, she reached out to building owners to seek permission to paint on their walls. Within just three months, she managed to complete six large murals, deepening her passion for this art form.
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I want no young female athlete to lose hope and to pursue what they love.
After moving to Berlin, Júlia continued her studies in a master's program. Upon completing it, she decided to fully dedicate herself to her art. Her first paid commission, a large facade painting, demonstrated that she could make a living from her artistry. Since then, she has focused entirely on large-scale paintings and street art.
Júlia Mota Albuquerque believes that public art can beautify cities and stimulate important discussions about societal issues such as diversity, inclusion, and belonging. She enjoys working with concepts that transcend traditional art boundaries, engaging local communities in dialogue with their environment. Drawing from her experiences in Brazil, the USA, and Germany, she incorporates a broad cultural perspective and sensitivity to local specifics into her projects.
Her works can be found in various cities around the world, including Leuven in Belgium and German cities such as Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Magdeburg. Each piece reflects the local atmosphere while also conveying universal themes that resonate across cultures. Júlia's journey from Brazil through the United States to Germany illustrates how art can transcend geographical and social boundaries.
One of Júlia Mota Albuquerque's latest works is located in the Czech Republic, specifically in Olomouc, where she created a vibrant mural on a basketball court as part of her collaboration with the Street Art Festival. This festival traditionally brings art directly to the streets, making it accessible to a broad audience. In 2024, in addition to Olomouc, the festival also took place in Hradec Králové. The Olomouc segment of the festival was titled Beyond the Form and focused on the stories behind the artworks.
The mural on the basketball court in the Nová Ulice district of Olomouc depicts three girls playing various ball sports, drawing from Júlia's personal experiences. As a teenager aspiring to compete in tennis, Júlia faced numerous challenges due to the lack of female competition in her hometown. She had to compete in men's tournaments to earn points. Despite initial resistance, her persistence allowed her to succeed in a male-dominated environment. Júlia explains, “The centerpiece of the design features three female figures playing three different sports. I chose this theme because sports—tennis included—are often seen as a male domain in Brazil. I wanted to encourage women and girls not to give up and pursue their passions.”
Júlia Mota Albuquerque's personal experiences with overcoming obstacles and her desire to succeed are deeply reflected in her art. Her scholarship allowed her to study and train in the United States, which opened new opportunities for her. This life experience is encapsulated in her current work, which carries a powerful message of supporting young female athletes. She emphasizes that they should not lose hope and should pursue their dreams, even in the face of challenges. “I want no young female athlete to lose hope and to engage in what they love,” Júlia states, bringing this message to life with her mural on the basketball court in Olomouc.
Previously, she explored the theme of sports in her work, notably in a series of illustrations titled Women in Sports. This subject continues to resonate with her, as she describes on her website: “My series of illustrations showcases strong women in sports. As someone who grew up as a girl in a male-dominated environment, I am truly excited to work on something that brings greater representation and space for women’s bodies—especially Black and Brown women—in the media.”
Júlia Mota Albuquerque is an artist who now resides in Berlin but considers Brazil, the USA, and Germany as her homes. Originating from the vibrant city of Belo Horizonte in southeastern Brazil, her artistic journey spans a diverse range of media—from digital illustrations for branding, publications, and advertising to large-scale murals and installations. Júlia's work often focuses on themes of diversity, inclusion, and community, with a strong preference for projects that allow her to engage with public and urban spaces, especially those that benefit local communities through accessible art.
Her passion for street art is fueled by her interest in physical spaces and bustling cities, which she believes awakened her love for this form of expression. Júlia is a proud graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and UE Germany, and during her time at SCAD, she was awarded a scholarship for her contributions to the women’s tennis team.
For more insights into her work and philosophy, you can follow her on Instagram.
Basketball courts serve as a significant source of inspiration for artists worldwide, and you can explore our HOT SELECTION to see how they influence creativity.
