Antwerp –
On the facade of the Candico factory building along the renovated Burgemeester Gabriel Theunisbrug on the Albert Canal in Antwerp, street artist Djoels (Julie Bouckhuyt) started this week with a work of art as a tribute to Julie Van Espen, who was murdered nearby. The project is part of a broader initiative by, among others, the city of Antwerp to beautify the neighborhood and in this way make it more attractive and safer.
–
Julie Van Espen was killed in May 2019 when she was on her way to friends by bicycle. Her death caused a shock wave of emotions, expressed in, among other things, a silent march through the city and a vigil near the site of the murder. The idea quickly surfaced to create a tribute for the girl in the form of a graffiti mural. Tattoo artist and Ink Master winner Djoels volunteered and started work on her artwork on Sunday.
The graffiti mural will not be a portrait of Julie or a political message, but an image that reflects “hope, strength and a worthy memory of all victims of unnecessary violence”. Consultations were also held with Julie’s next of kin.
“The story touched me personally, because I am regularly confronted with similar stories,” says Djoels. “I am a very sensitive person and as a woman this theme is close to my heart. I try to put the feeling of vulnerability, impotence and hope in my work. ”
–
