Time and time again, it is proven that beauty and art can flourish despite any condition.  In our continuing series of highlighting artists from around the world, today we talk with a Chilean born artist Luna Zuniga (aka Bella Luna).  Bella Luna is such an inspirational artist, that we couldn’t help but fall in love with her beautiful and diverse art.

How did you get into street art?

I’m Chilean and Chile is an art lover’s paradise. Valparaiso, a port city in Chile is known as one of the best street art cities in the world, where every possible open space imaginable is covered in paint. There are no walls left untouched or staircases without color.

Street artist Bella Luna
The history of Chilean street art was straight-up political. At a time when political unrest was rising, in the days before the military coup in 1973, the two opposing parties had different takes on how to get their word across. What do artists do in the face of a brutal crackdown on expression?
 
They make art that can’t be traced. Chilean artists felt compelled to fight back through the means they had: their bodies and their imaginations. This time had a profound effect on my mother and growing up she nurtured that in me. She inspired me to get my message across through art. She invested a lot into my cultural and artistic education. My father left when I was a child but I met a law enforcement officer who became a strong father figure in my life and further expanded my knowledge of giving back and engaging in community service. They both instilled the same values but in different ways. I was able to merge the two and found my own path to pursue my passion in the arts but also helping people. They are both pretty proud of me and I made good on the promise to use my powers for good.

Why is street art important? 

beautiful mural of a horse by Bella Luna

Street art has always had a history of being influenced by the present political and social issues. Because art is a universal language, it’s easy to see why many artists prefer this medium to challenge the status quo.

What is your favorite piece & why?

firery bird mural - Bella Luna

It’s hard for me to choose just one because every mural is different. I love them all and with every wall I get to leave a little piece of myself. They are equally important to me and unique. They have a story and connections I’ve made that I wont easily forget. 

buffalo mural - Bella Luna

Who is your favorite street artist & why?

This is my all time favorite mural by my favorite artist, Chilean street artist INTI . This mural is in Germany located at the YAAM Berlin Art Market. 

We love INTI too, in Montreal at Mural Festival we were treated to a great mural.

Street art by - INTI

Street Art by INTI

Where would you like to create art next?

outstretched bird mural - Bella Luna

I create artistic dream rooms for youth who don’t have access to the arts, the vulnerable, marginalized,  recently diagnosed with a serious illness and struggling with trauma. I started my own charitable organization when I noticed a gap on how we treat children with acute and unrecognized trauma. I want to go where I am most needed. Where there isn’t a hint of art and start there. My province , where I reside permanently has the highest rate of apprehensions in our nation and there are as many group homes as there are traffic signs. They pretty much all look the same. 

wolf mural - Bella Luna

They are sterile and void of color and feel nothing like a home. Five years ago I began to quietly and prolifically create artistic rooms in group homes across my city. Most of them were created by employing guerrilla tactics meaning the idea had been rejected and the managers in these homes brought me in through the back door and very often risking their own employment because they believed as I do that these kids deserved more. Sometimes my murals are covering every wall in these group homes. The goal is to transform how we look at group homes and children in care. Make them look more reflective of a home, not an institution 

Share a project you are working on or one you have that you would like to promote.

I’m currently working on a few projects and a couple of homes. I don’t think I could ever go more a few days with creating something.  Read about The Dream Room Project
 

A SPECIAL THANKS GOES OUT TO OUR GUEST WRITER BELLA LUNA CHECK OUT HER BIO BELOW!

 

SEE INTERVIEWS FROM OTHER STREET ARTISTS:

THE FUN ART OF TODD SCOTT

THOUGHTS ABOUT ART FROM LIZ LAMANCHE 

ALL ABOUT LOVE AND PEACE WITH CHRIS RIGGS

BEAUTIFUL ART FROM KOSMIK ONE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR TO STREET ART CHAT, FEEL FREE TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK HERE.

The art of Bella Luna StreetArtChat Interview