Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|2022 mural by TVBoy in Barcelona}} {{Infobox artwork | title = Follow my dreams | image_file = Alèxia Putellas mural 20230516.jpg | image_size = 300px | caption = The original Super Alexia mural before being modified in May 2023. | alt = A mural showing Alexia Putellas dressed as Superwoman | painting_alignment = | artist = [[TVBoy]] | year = 2022; re-painted and modified in 2023 | type = [[Mural]] | museum = | city = [[Gràcia]], Barcelona, Spain | coordinates = | owner = }} '''''Follow my dreams''''' is a 2022 hand-painted [[Mural|mural]] by Italian street artist [[TVBoy]], located in [[Barcelona]]. Originally called '''''Super Alexia''''',<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Super Alexia in Barcelona|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDCjn4NiNpc|date=20 March 2022|author=TVBoy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2022-03-20|title=TVBoy cambia a Maradona por Alexia Putellas en un mural de Gràcia|url=https://metropoliabierta.elespanol.com/vivir-en-barcelona/tvboy-cambia-maradona-alexia-putellas_51767_102.html|access-date=2023-07-18|website=El Español|language=es|archive-date=2023-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601215219/https://metropoliabierta.elespanol.com/vivir-en-barcelona/tvboy-cambia-maradona-alexia-putellas_51767_102.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the author redesigned the work in 2023 due to frequent acts of vandalism.<ref>{{cite web|date=2023-01-25|title=Vandalizan el mural de Alexia Putellas con proclamas machistas y homófobas: "Ni fútbol, ni femenino"|url=https://www.publico.es/mujer/vandalizan-mural-alexia-putellas-lema-futbol-femenino.html|access-date=2023-07-18|website=Público|archive-date=2023-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125104152/https://www.publico.es/mujer/vandalizan-mural-alexia-putellas-lema-futbol-femenino.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Ara2023>{{cite web|last=Muñoz|first=Miquel|date=2023-10-24|title=L'artista italià que dibuixa Alexia Putellas a les parets de Barcelona|url=https://www.ara.cat/esports/barca-femeni/artista-italia-dibuixa-alexia-parets-barcelona_130_4814485.html|access-date=2024-03-01|website=Ara.cat|language=ca}}</ref> While the old work depicts footballer [[Alexia Putellas]] as [[Superwoman]] celebrating women as well as Putellas' individual and team success, in the new mural Putellas is still depicted wearing a cape, also holding up her hands in the shape of a heart and the slogan "Follow your dreams" has been replaced by "Labor omnia vincit improbus". TVBoy was inspired to create the mural by his daughter. It was painted in the Barcelona neighbourhood of [[Gràcia]] and has been vandalised and repaired several times. ==Background and design== Italian street artist [[TVBoy]] has been based in [[Barcelona]] for many years.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=Dibujo mural de Alexia del pintor Tvboy |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20220318/1001769893/dibujo-mural-alexia-artista-tvboy.html |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Mundo Deportivo |language=es |archive-date=2022-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408090405/https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20220318/1001769893/dibujo-mural-alexia-artista-tvboy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2022,<ref name=":0" /> TVBoy's young daughter told him that she wanted to be a footballer like [[Alexia Putellas]], the [[Ballon d'Or Féminin|Ballon d'Or]] winner and captain of [[FC Barcelona Femení]]. The team's success in that month and his daughter's words served as inspiration for TVBoy to create a mural of Putellas that would inspire other girls.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=22 March 2022 |title=Tot costa - Tv Boy: "El mural de l'Alexia, amb el 'Follow your dreams', és per encoratjar les noves generacions" |url=https://www.ccma.cat/catradio/alacarta/tot-costa/tv-boy-el-mural-de-lalexia-amb-el-follow-your-dreams-es-per-encoratjar-les-noves-generacions/audio/1129619/ |website=CCMA |language=ca |access-date=18 July 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203113713/https://www.ccma.cat/catradio/alacarta/tot-costa/tv-boy-el-mural-de-lalexia-amb-el-follow-your-dreams-es-per-encoratjar-les-noves-generacions/audio/1129619/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Barcelona mural honors Putellas after record breaking Clasico |url=https://www.laprensalatina.com/barcelona-mural-honors-putellas-after-record-breaking-clasico/ |website=La Prensa Latina Media |access-date=2023-07-18 |archive-date=2023-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203113700/https://www.laprensalatina.com/barcelona-mural-honors-putellas-after-record-breaking-clasico/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He unveiled the mural on [[Father's Day]] in March 2022.<ref name=":1" /> It is located on {{lang|ca|carrer de l'Escorial|italic=no}} (by [[Joanic (Barcelona Metro)|Joanic]])<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=Un mural d'Alexia Putellas pren el lloc de Maradona a Gràcia |url=https://beteve.cat/cultura/mural-alexia-putellas-maradona-gracia/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=beteve.cat |language=ca |archive-date=2022-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318155123/https://beteve.cat/cultura/mural-alexia-putellas-maradona-gracia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in [[Gràcia]], a neighbourhood in Barcelona that is home to iconic street art and architecture,<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":26" /> and that is supportive of [[feminism]] and [[LGBT rights in Spain|LGBTQ+ rights]], reasons TVBoy felt it was ideal for the mural of Putellas.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=TvBoy convierte a Alexia Putellas en un icono del arte urbano en Barcelona |url=https://es-us.deportes.yahoo.com/tvboy-convierte-alexia-putellas-icono-151322498.html |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=es-US |archive-date=2022-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423224550/https://es-us.deportes.yahoo.com/tvboy-convierte-alexia-putellas-icono-151322498.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The location previously featured a different TVBoy mural, of Argentine footballer [[Diego Maradona]] painted after his death;<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> the Maradona mural had received some negative responses.<ref name=":1" /> TVBoy had painted Maradona as "half saint, half devil" to reflect his issues, but said that when he learned more of Maradona's controversies he wanted to replace it with artwork honouring a woman, that "[he] thought it was a good message that this time a woman was the champion, the star".<ref name=":4" /> Initially, the mural depicted Putellas as [[Superwoman]], wearing a Barcelona shirt with an "A" in a heart on the chest like a superhero crest, and a red cape. The background was [[Lilac (color)|lilac]] to represent feminism and featured the slogan "follow your dreams".<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-25 |title=Lamentables insultos a Alexia Putellas en un mural de Barcelona |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/vaya-mundo/20230125/1001925424/tortillera-feminazi-lamentables-insultos-alexia-putellas-mural-barcelona-dct.html |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Mundo Deportivo |language=es |archive-date=2023-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203113659/https://www.mundodeportivo.com/vaya-mundo/20230125/1001925424/tortillera-feminazi-lamentables-insultos-alexia-putellas-mural-barcelona-dct.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":26">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-12 |title=Tvboy restaura el mural que dedicó a Alexia Putellas y fue vandalizado con insultos lesbófobos |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/barcelona/20230212/8751520/tvboy-restaura-mural-dedico-alexia-putellas-vandalizado-insultos-lesbofobos.html |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=La Vanguardia |language=es |archive-date=2023-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301132900/https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/barcelona/20230212/8751520/tvboy-restaura-mural-dedico-alexia-putellas-vandalizado-insultos-lesbofobos.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2023, following Spain's victory at the [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup]] and repeated vandalism of the original, TVBoy and his daughter redesigned the mural. Putellas is still depicted wearing a cape, also holding up her hands in the shape of a heart. Her shirt and the background of the mural are painted in blue, red and gold — a mix of the colours of FC Barcelona and the [[senyera]]. The slogan has been replaced with "[[Labor omnia vincit improbus]]", reflecting the title of Putellas' documentary ''[[Alexia: Labor Omnia Vincit]]''.<ref name=Ara2023/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/tvboy/status/1705867487596666887|title=Mi hija y yo hemos decidido renovar el mural dedicado a #Alexia Putellas en Barcelona para que siga inspirando a las nuevas generaciones. ¡Con el esfuerzo todos los sueños se pueden conseguir!|author=TVBOY|via=X (Twitter)|date=24 September 2023|language=Spanish}}</ref> == Vandalism == [[File:Àmbit_2_Palau_Robert_Jugo_com_una_nena_(cropped).jpg|thumb|Comments from the vandalised mural used as a physical barrier at a women's sport exhibition in 2023<ref name=":5">{{cite web |title=Vilagrà inaugura l'exposició 'Jugo com una nena!' que busca reivindicar l'esport femení |url=http://govern.cat/salapremsa/notes-premsa/522762/vilagra-inaugura-lexposicio-jugo-nena-que-busca-reivindicar-lesport-femeni |website=Govern.cat |language=ca |access-date=2023-07-18 |archive-date=2023-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721032145/https://govern.cat/salapremsa/notes-premsa/522762/vilagra-inaugura-lexposicio-jugo-nena-que-busca-reivindicar-lesport-femeni |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite web |title=Jugo com una nena! (Fins al 25 de setembre) |url=http://palaurobert.gencat.cat/ca/exposicions/sala1/2023/jugo-com-una-nena/ |website=Palau Robert |language=ca-ES |access-date=2023-07-18 |archive-date=2023-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721032144/https://palaurobert.gencat.cat/ca/exposicions/sala1/2023/jugo-com-una-nena/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]] The mural was praised for reflecting in art and society the growing views that "heroes no longer need to be men" and that football is not only for men.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=¿Qué hace un caballo en esta casa de Terrassa? |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/participacion/las-fotos-de-los-lectores/20230624/9057426/has-visto-caballo-escondido-terrassa.html |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=La Vanguardia |language=es |archive-date=2023-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628104352/https://www.lavanguardia.com/participacion/las-fotos-de-los-lectores/20230624/9057426/has-visto-caballo-escondido-terrassa.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite Putellas and the mural both being popular in Barcelona, it has been vandalised,<ref name=":23" /> first in June 2022, with TVBoy fixing it and sharing the message "haters, we never surrender" on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benintende |first=Salvatore |date=14 June 2022 |title=Working overtime to fix @alexiaputellas mural in Barcelona. Haters, we never surrender |url=https://twitter.com/tvboy/status/1536963997307654144 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615064923/https://twitter.com/tvboy/status/1536963997307654144 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |website=Twitter}}</ref> In January 2023 it was defaced with graffiti of [[Lesbophobia|lesbophobic]] slurs and misogynistic comments;<ref name=":23" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=Vandalitzat amb insults homòfobs el mural d'Alèxia Putellas a Barcelona |url=https://www.ccma.cat/esport3/vandalitzat-amb-insults-homofobs-el-mural-dalexia-putellas-a-barcelona/noticia/3208227/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=CCMA |language=ca |archive-date=2023-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203113700/https://www.ccma.cat/esport3/vandalitzat-amb-insults-homofobs-el-mural-dalexia-putellas-a-barcelona/noticia/3208227/ |url-status=live }}</ref> TVBoy was in Ukraine at the time, but restored it again in February.<ref name=":26" /> An image of the vandalised mural was shown at the {{lang|ca|"Jugo com una nena!"|italic=no}} ({{trans|Play like a girl}}) exhibition at the [[Palau Robert]] in summer 2023, illustrating insults and stereotypes of female athletes. The image is displayed on a wall that is placed as a physical barrier on a running track, which visitors to the exhibition can break down.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> The redesigned mural was vandalised in January 2024, with ''[[La Vanguardia]]'' writing this was because of social tensions over her increased feminist activism.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-01-22|title=“Z*rra”, el vergonzoso insulto en el mural de Alexia Putellas de Barcelona|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/gente/20240122/9503450/z-rra-vergonzoso-insulto-mural-alexia-putellas-barcelona-mmn.html|access-date=2024-03-01|website=La Vanguardia|language=es}}</ref> == Labor omnia vincit improbus == {{See also|Labor omnia vincit|Alexia: Labor Omnia Vincit}} '''Labor omnia vincit''' or '''Labor omnia vincit improbus''' is a [[list of Latin phrases|Latin phrase]] meaning "Work conquers all". The slogan is reflecting the title of Putellas' 2022 documentary ''[[Alexia: Labor Omnia Vincit]]'',<ref name=Ara2023/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/tvboy/status/1705867487596666887|title=Mi hija y yo hemos decidido renovar el mural dedicado a #Alexia Putellas en Barcelona para que siga inspirando a las nuevas generaciones. ¡Con el esfuerzo todos los sueños se pueden conseguir!|author=TVBOY|via=X (Twitter)|date=24 September 2023|language=Spanish}}</ref> following Putellas for a year between winning her first and second [[Ballon d'Or Féminin|Ballons d'Or]], the series initially intended to document both Putellas' history with Barcelona and Spain, and her [[2021–22 FC Barcelona Femení season|2021–22 season]], including the [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022|2022 Euro]]; with Putellas suffering a season-ending injury days before the Euro, the series shifted tone. Continuing to focus on Putellas' mindset, it additionally presents struggles of elite athletes and injuries. Putellas has tattooed the [[motto]], used to allude to her greatness in her sport and reflect the personal nature of the series. ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:2020s murals]] [[Category:Murals in Spain]] [[Category:Vandalized works of art in Spain]] [[Category:Feminism in Spain]] [[Category:Women's football in Spain]] [[Category:LGBT art]]'