The universe of Rafaella Braga between fantasy and reality

The person from Goiania has been in contact with pixo since the age of 12 and, since then, found her passion. In the streets, she learned to dream and communicate in a unique way. Today, she lives in Berlin and claims that the city has allowed her to connect with people from numerous parts of the world and transformed her career.

We chatted a bit with Rafaella about her vision, her work, and also her expectations. Check it out below:

• Since your childhood, did you already have a connection with art, or did you discover this passion later?

  At 12 years old, I picked up a spray can and discovered a world of infinite possibilities. Pixo was my first passion, the street my first art school, where I learned to dream big and transform my reality.

  
  

  

  
  

• Berlin was a starting point for your artistic journey. What was the transition process like to the city and to your career?

  Berlin offered me the necessary space to experiment and expand my vision, while also challenging me to confront my fears, understand my mission, and, above all, realize the power of trust, persistence, and especially the power of patience. When I moved here at 19, I came without knowing anyone, without money, without connections, without support, without family, without friends, and having never left Goiânia before; it was my first time getting on a plane.

  Just me, God, and a gigantic dream, a tremendous desire within my heart to materialize everything I have always imagined. I understood early on the value that the market places on international experiences, especially in Europe and the United States. That was when I decided to play the game and bet on myself, on my talent, which was marginalized in Brazil, but became appreciated here. Berlin, being such an international city, allowed me to connect with people from different parts of the world, which transformed my career. In the beginning, nothing was easy, but I knew that each challenge was there to refine me, to prepare me for something greater, for the story that was being written for me.

  
  

• Are there specific artists or movements that influence you when creating your works?

  My art is primarily influenced by street culture, whether through graffiti, pixo, or hip hop, with its poetry in the rhymes. This raw and clandestine aesthetic taught me the importance of communicating in a visceral and authentic way, without filters, and to create my own language, without caring about the hype.

  
  

  

  
  

• How do you describe your creative process? Is there something behind it that drives you to create?

  My creative process is a deep moment of connection with my heart, with the divine, whatever name anyone wants to give to that energy: God, universe, spirit or simply the force that transcends us and governs our existence. I often say that I paint my guardian angels, as when I create, I feel that I channel that protective energy that constantly guides us. Each brushstroke is a gesture of faith, a sincere surrender, where I connect with something greater that guides me, empowers me, and transforms me. Observing nature and its rhythms is a daily exercise within this process. The sky at dawn and dusk, the cycles of the moon, the brightness of the sun, the freedom of the birds, all of this is reflected in my work.

  And I believe that starting to paint through street art in challenging environments from such a young age turned my art into this spiritual practice, as a tool for elevation, a process of healing and reflection on our paths and purposes, beyond all aesthetics. In this sacred space of connection, I surrender to my intuition, allowing it to guide the flow of my creation. There are no plans, judgments or rules, only a free space of communication between my mind, my soul and my hands.

  
  

• We know that writing carries significant weight in your works. How do you believe it connects with your paintings?

  For me, painting is like a big diary, a space where I keep my secrets, deposit my dreams and ideas. I have always seen writing and words as powerful tools of manifestation and projection. When I write on my works, I am creating a direct link between what I feel, what I dream and what I wish to materialize.

• Is there a specific reason for painting on such large canvases?

  My paintings are large to match the size of my dreams. Reflecting the grandeur that exists within each of us.

  
  

• How does your view of reality influence the elements of fantasy in your works?

  I believe that fantasy acts as a bridge that connects us to a broader and deeper understanding of our reality. Both are distinct experiences, yet deeply connected, being essential parts of the same human experience. In art, fantasy allows me to explore deeper dimensions of life and being, functioning more as a form of revelation than escape. It opens pathways to see beyond the obvious, reflecting on what lies beyond the surface of everyday existence and our limitations.

  
  

• What did it mean for you to create a mural for Cannes Lions and see that work in the collection of the Brazilian Embassy in France?

  Creating this work in Cannes, celebrating and representing Brazil, was an experience that reaffirmed for me the transformative power of art. Seeing this piece included in the collection of the Brazilian Embassy in France is an immense honor. It's as if my art, which was born in Brazil's alleys and walls, was crossing borders and reaching spaces that once seemed impossible. This recognition strengthens and inspires me to continue creating.

  
  

  

  
  

• Are there new projects or directions you would like to explore in your artistic career?

  I am always open to new directions, as I believe that art, just like us, is infinite. I am living a moment of expansion in my work, seeking new ways to connect with the world and globalize my art, creating connections that are genuine and meaningful.

  I have been developing projects with brands I admire, aligned with my artistic vision and my journey, and I am preparing for new exhibitions and global initiatives that have challenged me to explore my creative process from a new perspective. Additionally, I am investing in the growth of my new brand, Street Dream, launched last month, a reflection of my story and my passions. I do not limit myself. I will continue to follow the flow of my intuition and energy, always aligned with my purpose and life mission.