About Yuri :
Yuri Leal, a visual artist from São Paulo, Brazil, finds deep inspiration in his homeland, particularly in the vibrant representation of flowers and nature. Early in his career, these elements were central to his work. However, after moving to Amsterdam and founding Way, Yuri's style evolved into a more abstract and graphic approach. Today, his focus is on conveying emotions and feelings through form and color. His artistic journey is marked by both formal education at the São Paulo School of Fine Arts and hands-on experience, having worked as an assistant to artists and gallerists.
This blend of formal and practical knowledge gave him unique insights into the art world, further enriched by his involvement in organizing major art fairs like SP-Arte and PARTE. His commitment to the broader artistic community is evident not only in his own work but also in the support he offers to local and expat artists through Way in Amsterdam. This platform allows him to continue researching, producing, and fostering collaboration.
Yuri’s journey is characterized by constant learning and experimentation. His self-taught, multidisciplinary approach allows him to integrate classical European techniques into his contemporary projects, balancing tradition and innovation. His recent research has taken him to various artist residencies, including Spreepark Art Space in Berlin, the Mondriaan Fund in Amsterdam, and DCA Print Studio in London, where he continues to push the boundaries of his creative expression.
The collaboration :
We discovered Yuri on Instagram through a limited edition he created for a small brand. We were immediately captivated by this artist's vibrant and floral style, which resonated deeply with us through his art. The idea of collaborating with him felt like a natural progression, perfectly complementing Coast.line's creative direction while introducing a refreshing element: abstraction and a burst of colors.
Partnering with Yuri has presented an exceptional opportunity for our broader ambition of international expansion. Who better to help realize this ambition than a Brazilian artist based in Amsterdam?
We reached out to him with a proposal to create three completely original designs, which will be printed on Coast.line crewnecks made in Portugal from 100% organic cotton.
Yuri was inspired and motivated to contribute to the Coast.line story, adding his unique touch. Thus, after several exchanges of messages and calls, the collaboration between our emerging French brand and the Brazilian artist came to life.
We’re incredibly proud of how the collaboration turned out. Alongside the three unique crewnecks, we also produced an insightful podcast filmed in Amsterdam, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey that made it all happen.
The designs :
For the designs, it’s Yuri’s story to tell. He imagined and created the three drawings that will be printed on our crewnecks.
Here’s a glimpse into Yuri’s creative mindset and process (available in our podcast):
“I tried to connect the brand’s name with my research, to link everything together, like floating in the space of the idea. In the composition, I used Coast.line’s flowers.”
To solidify his idea, he created a painting, essentially a map of his thoughts which you can see in the podcast we recorded during our visit to his place in Amsterdam.
“I decided to take Coast.line’s flowers, starting from Portugal where the brand was born, and moving through Spain to France. You can see species here that grow along the coasts of Portugal, Spain, and France. From that, I started selecting the species, the composition, the entire painting. It was all about connecting the brand’s name with its origins and the founders’ roots. Spain in the middle adds a little spice.”
Now you can better understand Yuri’s creative process and the meaning behind each unique drawing, painted with oil pastels.
The first design, "Le Bouquet Final," is the most vibrant. It’s like an explosion of flowers and colors brought together in an abstract painting. Yuri created a symmetrical composition featuring three flower species, each representing a different coast, Portugal, Spain, and France. His goal was to craft an abstract composition, focusing not just on the flowers but the energy they convey.
In the second design, the single flower is a bougainvillea. This time, the emphasis is on the lines and the direction of the petals, with an incredible level of detail. Yuri wanted to capture power and strength through the delicacy and fragility of the purple flower.
The final design posed a challenge for Yuri, but it became his favourite. Initially, he planned to incorporate green to reflect his Brazilian roots but later adapted it to better resonate with the Coast.line audience. He completed the drawing just before heading to a festival, where he found fresh inspiration. This piece focuses on the use of crayon and oil pastels, with a succession of lines. The texture and movement of the crayon strokes were central, with touches of color adding depth.
The trip :
It was the Coast.line team's first time in Amsterdam, and we arrived right in the middle of Gay Pride. Floats paraded along the canals, and the city was bursting with color. The atmosphere was electric, full of joy and energy. Amsterdam felt more alive than ever, with its residents radiating happiness, and an unmatched spirit of warmth and kindness.
After chatting with some locals, we headed to meet the artist behind our project, Yuri. His apartment, bathed in light and filled with artwork, was exactly what you'd imagine a creative space to be, an artistic, vibrant mess full of life and color.
It was our first time meeting Yuri in person, and he instantly came across as warm and welcoming. We connected right away and had a fantastic time together.
During those intense few days, we worked tirelessly on the storytelling of our collaboration, making sure our community could feel closely connected to the project. By blending dynamic campaigns with artistic elements, we found the perfect balance to showcase the essentials and Yuri’s incredible work.
Beyond his art, Yuri welcomed us into his world in Amsterdam, his friends, his favorite spots... He didn’t just share his creations with us; he shared a piece of his life.