Julieta XLF: Street Art Between Valencia and Sicily

Valencia-based street artist Julieta XLF (born 1982) presented her solo exhibition 'Marea' at Estudio 64 in the Benimaclet neighborhood of Valencia. The show features works inspired by the sea and tides, including dioramas made from layered wood, paper, and cardboard, as well as found objects like beach debris and decomposing leaves. In an interview, XLF discusses the relationship between her street murals and gallery work, noting that studio practice allows for different materials and slower processes, while street art provides essential energy. She reflects on her connection to Italy, particularly Sicily, where she studied during an Erasmus program in Palermo and now collaborates with the activist collective Collettivo FX and Nemo's in neighborhoods such as Lo Zen and Ballarò. XLF also addresses public reactions to her murals, citing a recent controversy in Sagunto where a phoenix mural at a historic pilota valenciana court sparked debate about the use of abandoned spaces. She defends tagging as a foundational and subversive element of graffiti culture, contrasting it with the co-optation of street art by the mainstream. Her signature includes the acronym XLF, standing for 'Por La Face,' a Valencian graffiti collective. The interview was conducted by Arianna Apicella for Artribune.