Judith de Leeuw, also known as JDL street art, creates large- scale murals worldwide in order to draw attention to social issues. In a period of 6 years she managed to travel and work over 41 countries, including big parts of Europe, Asia and the United states. Growing up in child services, she has seen many dark places in life. Today she uses this as a tool for empathy and understanding for the less fortunate, who play main characters in her murals.
At age 27, JDL has won two awards, and had her work exhibited next to Banksy and Keith Haring. While evolving, Her work was shared by major platforms around the world such as CNN and Chicago tribune. In 2022, she was invited by the king and queen of the Netherlands to welcome the Italian president in the palace in order to represent the international artistic collaboration.
A small selection of articles and other media about JDL street art. Please click on the links below to view the items.
The documentary ‘Behind the Wall’ is created by director Deborah Farone Mennella about the story behind a monumental mural on an apartment building in an underprivileged neighborhood in southern Italy. The dutch TV channel NPO broadcasted the episode on JDL’s work.
‘Outside in’, collaborated with Yourban2030, is a pollution eating mural for the LGBT+ community in Rome. The project has been featured by the world news TV station who broadcasted the item in 430 million households over 166 countries.
The Netherlands’ largest charity organization, KWF Kankerbestrijding, and the first public broadcasting channel, NPO1/AVROTROS, partnered to sell 10,000 pieces of JDL’s artwork to fund cancer research. The artwork, inspired by the stories of cancer patients Pim, Ilse, and Kelly, showcased intense love and happiness, particularly for their children, as part of the ‘Against Cancer, For Life (Tegen kanker, voor het leven)’ – campaign.
“‘Hold Me Tight’ is a mural crafted as a tribute to the self-love and vulnerability of those who profoundly influenced JDL’s artistic journey in 2021. In a society where individuals frequently express shame about their vulnerabilities, the artist perceives beauty and strength in these very aspects. This artwork serves as a homage to the resilience and power embodied by these individuals.”
Art in public space leads to physical and online reach of high amounts. With great reach comes great responsibility. That’s why JDL believes that we should use murals for social purposes. Each wall is inspired by personal stories of admirable but vulnerable people, with the aim of creating a universal understanding in society. These are some of the most inspirational people that are fighting social issues:
When @sanne.esther was diagnosed with severe breast cancer, Casper did not think twice, and decided to marry her in order to be there for her the best way he could. One week later I stood in front of their altar, watching them with admiration, while thinking about the true love and support that they gave each other during this real life nightmare. That day, I promised them a huge tribute mural on a hospital, in order to inspire others with their story. I gave them a holiday to Italy to see it in person, where they hugged and cried tears of joy.
Battling cancer as a couple is a nightmare, for both of them. This mural is a reminder that when everything breaks apart, love can keep each others world together, even stronger than before.
The story of Sanne and Casper’s mural is a part of the ‘Leven na kanker’ documentary van @kwfnederland , which will be released in a year from now.
This is a tribute mural to all the broken and beautiful people I have met in the past year. One by one, they showed me their vulnerability. I notice people are often ashamed of their vulnerability, while I see the beauty in it. This mural is a reminder to embrace yourself (and your fragility), even though, it does not seem natural in, for instance, a depression. These people are the most admirable people that I have met in my life, including their trauma.
Thank you for being you, and showing yourself to me:
Sanne & Casper: who grew into a stronger relation ship because of cancer (Padova, IT)
Hansje: Who became a musical genius during her psychosis (Sweden)
(Anonymous): Who did everything he could to help his suicidal wife and show how precious she is. (Canvas)
Alexa: Who became the most caring person in the world because of her diagnosis with MS (Coming soon)
(Anonymous): he transgender that found himself through a great struggle of acception (Rome)
As I admire all these people so incredibly much, one by one, I hope we can collectively start to be proud of our trauma as 90% of the world is effected by it. Be proud.
Dante Mdante and Acho Khutsishvili – Thank you for the assistance!
‘Atlas’, Limited edition print.
Signed and numbered by JDL.
including VAT, EX. Shipping
Atlas – The Woman Who Carried the World: A limited edition print of JDL’s mural, created to honor the empowering women in Milan, Italy.
Edition size: 200
Size: 84×32,6cm
Type: giclée print
Characteristics: Innova IFA22, Etching Cotton Rag 315gsm
All orders will be handled personally and contractually via email. Worldwide shipping.
‘Dancing with my eyes closed’, Limited edition print.
Signed and numbered by JDL.
including VAT, EX. Shipping
Edition size: 100
Size: 100 x 33,5 cm
Type: giclée print
Characteristics: Innova IFA22, Etching Cotton Rag 315gsm
In stock: 62
All orders will be handled personally and contractually via email. Worldwide shipping.
Hand-finished limited edition print release
‘love is stronger than death’
including VAT, EX. Shipping
Due to the use of the most innovative and high-end printing techniques and the paint added as a second layer, the difference between an original piece and this hand-finished print is extremely hard to tell. With more than 75 original brush strokes created over this 1500% enlarged full-frame sensor print, we bring you the next-level look-alike original.
Edition size: 50
Size: 170 x 75 cm
Characteristics: Acrylic and
giclée print on canvas
In stock: 36/50
All orders will be handled personally and contractually via email. Worldwide shipping.
‘On Both sides’, Limited edition print.
Signed and numbered by JDL.
including VAT, EX. Shipping
Edition size: 100
Size:A2 594x420mm
Type: giclée print
Characteristics: Hahnemuhle White Velvet 270grs textured fine art paper
In stock: 4
All orders will be handled personally and contractually via email. Worldwide shipping.
Want to know more or have we piqued your curiousity? Feel free to contact us in regards to any requests, projects or art purchases.
Judith de Leeuw
+31 6 23 21 88 14
info@jdlstreetart.com
