Julia Bottoms
Julia Bottoms is a highly acclaimed artist based in Buffalo. Graduating from SUNY Buffalo State College with both a BA and MFA, she has left an indelible mark on our city through her remarkable murals. Notably, Julia collaborated with John Baker, Chuck Tingley, and Edreys Wajed to co-produce the captivating Freedom Wall in 2017, receiving support from The Albright Knox and NFTA Metro. With an ever-evolving body of work, she delves into the realm of political, social, racial, and gender issues in a poignant yet nuanced manner. Through her portraiture, Julia meticulously crafts narratives that give people of color a voice on their own terms.
Julia reflects on being a woman of color and the challenges she faces. She finds power in her voice and the ability to create change through her visual art. Her recent work is influenced by events like the Trayvon Martin case, which highlighted the injustices faced by black individuals. Initially dismissing the news, she witnessed the media skewing facts and justifying the death of an unarmed child. This led her to create artwork exploring gender expectations and the portrayal of minorities in the media. The artwork challenges stereotypes imposed on men of color and symbolizes the denied opportunities in mainstream society.
