the street is our gallery

Southeast Financial Center (SEFC) reveals Miami’s largest rooftop mural, a breathtaking 35,000 Sq. Ft artwork by internationally renowned artist Mantra, also known as Youri Cansell, and curated by Justkids Art Consulting.

Mantra, celebrated for his hyper-realistic trompe-l’oeil style, brings his signature butterflies to SEFC’s rooftop with dazzling accuracy, making them appear gently perched. The mural features vibrant species, including the endangered ‘Miami Blue,’ native to South Florida. His lifelike renderings, both stunning and scientifically precise, often depict specimens as if in exhibit cases—a poignant commentary on lost biodiversity. Mantra’s murals celebrate the small, essenti al parts of ecosystems, bringing attention to their beauty and importance. By depicting these creatures on a monumental scale with precise detail, he inspires appreciation for nature and reminds us of the need to protect it.

“It’s always a pleasure to paint in Miami, a city that thrives on its vibrant mix of people and cultures—much like the butterflies in my mural, which represent a diverse selection of specimens. This is my largest mural to date, and I am excited to see it come to life,” said artist Youri Cansell, aka Mantra.

“I am grateful to Southeast Financial Center for giving me the space to create something of this magnitude.”

The massive mural took over 400 hours to complete, using 200 gallonsof paint and marks the artist’slargest project in scale to-date, surpassing his previous mural in Downtown Houston. Mantra worked exclusively with rollers, without the use of grids or projections, achieving remarkable precision on such agrand scale and showcasing an exceptional level of freehand technique. The unique challenges of the location, including strong winds and morning dampness from the nearby ocean, added complexity to the project, which was completed over approximately six weeks.

Located in Downtown Miami, SEFC’s mural commission not only transforms a garage rooftop into a vibrant visual experience for tenants and occupants of surrounding residential and commercial towers but also underscores SEFC’s role in elevating Downtown Miami as a hub for cultural innovation.

A 35,000 Sq. Ft Butterfly Mural by Artist Mantra Provides Stunning Commentary on Lost Biodiversity

Photos by Justkids.art
Credits for social medias: Mural by @mantrarea for @sefc.miami, curated by @justkidsofficial