Land of Julia – A Brazilian Tribute at Teufelsberg

During the Power of Female Art festival in March 2024, the Jambalya Tower at Teufelsberg received a vibrant new look. Clearly visible from our bar, a colourful mural by Júlia Mota Albuquerque, better known as Land of Júlia, now adorns the striking structure. Her work merges Brazilian art history with her own illustrative style, creating a vivid statement of cultural diversity and female strength.

A Tribute to Tarsila do Amaral

For her mural at Teufelsberg, Júlia drew inspiration from one of Brazil’s most renowned painters: Tarsila do Amaral. In particular, her iconic piece Abaporú—widely considered one of the most significant works of modern Brazilian art—served as a key reference. Abaporú features an oversized figure seated in a vast landscape, surrounded by a cactus under a radiant blue sky. The colour palette—blue, yellow, and green—mirrors the Brazilian flag.

Júlia reinterpreted these elements in her own distinctive style. Her signature aesthetic, influenced by her background as an illustrator, is characterized by bold, flat shapes and a nearly cartoon-like appearance. The result is a contemporary take on Amaral’s work that not only pays tribute to Brazil’s artistic heritage but also establishes a visual connection between Berlin and Brazil.

The Power of Female Art festival celebrated women in art and made a powerful statement for greater visibility and equality in the art world. Júlia’s mural was a perfect example of the impact of female artistry—both as an inspiration and as an active contribution to the contemporary art scene. Her work at Teufelsberg is a striking testament to how female artists continue to shape history—both past and present.

Art Between Berlin and Brazil

Júlia Mota Albuquerque hails from Minas Gerais, a large state in southeastern Brazil. Though she currently resides in Berlin, she frequently travels between the two countries, whether for artistic projects or simply due to her passion for discovering new places.

Her artistic range is broad: she works on digital illustrations for branding, advertising, and publications, as well as large-scale murals and installations. Making art accessible to everyone is especially important to her. That’s why she is drawn to urban spaces, where her murals not only enhance cityscapes but also engage local communities.

Diversity and Unity as Core Themes

Júlia’s work revolves around themes of diversity, inclusion, and community. Her murals are not just visually striking—they carry a deeper message: they aim to bring people together and create a positive impact on the cities where they are displayed. This is why she is particularly drawn to bustling metropolises—she wants her art to be experienced, not just seen.

Beyond mural painting, she regularly experiments with new media. She illustrates, animates, paints objects, and explores textile techniques such as tufting. Her long-term goal is to create large-scale public installations—projects that go beyond art and foster interaction.

Júlia’s work can now be found in multiple countries. Her murals grace walls in France, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Brazil. Her artistic signature is unmistakable: bold colors, clear shapes, and a playful yet profound visual language.

With her contribution to the Power of Female Art festival, Júlia Mota Albuquerque has not only added a new visual highlight to Teufelsberg but also brought a piece of Brazilian art history to Berlin. Her work honours the legendary Tarsila do Amaral while seamlessly fitting into Júlia’s own artistic vision: colourful, accessible, and carrying a powerful message.