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The Trend of Mural Painting: Behind the Scenes with Julia A. Etedi at SINGULART

Julia Etedi

In November 2021, we invited SINGULARTIST Julia A. Etedi to our office in Paris, France to create a one-of-a-kind mural for us.

Julia A. Etedi, is a mixed media artist living and working in Paris, France. Julia has been with SINGULART for more than three years. Though it considered common practice for artists to create commissioned pieces for art collectors, this is a SINGULART first for a mural. We sat down with Julia to discuss her inspiration, the process, and best practices to consider when commissioning a mural.

For this mural I had to take the time to observe, step back, get away, and really see the evolution from different perspectives.

What inspires you?

I get my inspiration from my travels: the landscapes and nature that surrounds me, and the flux I can observe in my environment. So for instance, if I’m in a city, it’s the vibration I can capture. But if I’m in nature, it’s the movement of light and the evolution of the seasons.

Canvas vs. mural painting: what insights did you gain?

I often paint on canvas laid flat on the ground because one of my techniques requires a lot of water. So it was a real challenge because as a painter, to paint on a wall – something that I could not move, my canvas was “fixed” in one place, I really had to navigate myself around my work. And the scale of the wall was also added the difficulty of see the artwork as a whole.

Painting a mural takes about one to two weeks – it really depends on the size of the wall. And when do I feel like the mural is finished? This is a big question. I think it’s really about observing the whole art piece and you feel that there is balance. Then, maybe you can say that it is finished.

I would say that a mural is one of the many different techniques of street art as we know it; an artistic movement from the end of the 1920’s. Among these techniques we have graffiti, trompe l’œil, mosaïque, and stencil. But the main difference lies in their purpose.

I consider murals to be decorative. They are often the result of a commission whereas street art is often meant to provoke thought.

– Julia A. Etedi on murals and street art.

What was your vision for this mural at SINGULART?

For this mural I was really inspired by autumn. Its colors, its shapes… For instance, I used “red vine” and “rust” that reminds us of autumn leaves. “Troubled blue” reminds me of the darkening sky, and “golden glow” of a beautiful November. The drawings that converse with the colorful shapes are inspired by the seasonal movements and the dance of leaves falling down from the trees.

What should collectors consider before commissioning a mural?

  • The size and material of the wall
  • Whether it is inside or outside
  • The location of the wall – is it a spot where there is a lot of movement? 
  • Is it a public or private space?

On a commission, the process starts with discussing the type of commission with the client. Some clients have specific and precise ideas about the piece they want. Others don’t and give total freedom to the artist. Then, I make a proposition of colors and the palette I intend to use. Once an agreement has been made, we schedule a date to start the mural.