Young Argentinian Julieta Nair Triumphs with Her Flowers Made from Aluminum Cans from the Trash

Julieta Nair Namuncurá, 28 years old and originally from Neuquén (Argentina), combines art and social commitment to transform waste into symbols of resilience. Known in the street scene as “Unicornia”.

Namuncurá has channeled her creative vocation into “Palacio de rosas”, a project that reuses discarded aluminum cans to turn them into flowers. “My art is very simple, but it allows creating beauty from waste”,” explains the young woman, who links this sensitivity to her Mapuche roots and the spiritual heritage of her relative, the blessed Ceferino Namuncurá, of whom she is the third niece.

Distinguished in 2023 by the province of Neuquén as a Prominent Young Person for Innovative Project, Julieta works as a volunteer at the María Madre parish in the Alta Barda neighborhood, where she met people who live off the garbage dump.

Julieta has assembled more than 3,000 roses that she keeps in spaces such as the Atenea Theater and the Blume cafeteria in her town. In mid-July, she mounted an installation of 300 tin flowers in a confectionery shop.

Her ambition is to expand “Palacio de rosas” to 11,100 units and take it to corporate and public headquarters – from Hilton to Pan American Energy – to promote the circular economy and sustainable art.

Despite living today without a permanent home, Namuncurá strengthens her project by alternating art exhibitions, fairs and the sale of vegan fortune cookies. “I am a ‘homeless’ artist, but wherever I am received I bring good vibes. I have dedicated my life to art full time”, she says with determination. With her work, she seeks not only to beautify spaces, but also to encourage citizen participation in sustainable development.