The Southeast Financial Center (SEFC) in Downtown Miami has unveiled the city’s largest rooftop mural—a breathtaking 35,000 square foot artwork by internationally renowned artist Youri Cansell, known as Mantra, curated by Justkids Art Consulting. Celebrated for his hyper-realistic trompe-l’oeil style, Mantra brings his signature butterflies to life with dazzling accuracy, making them appear as though they are gently perched on the rooftop. His mural features a vibrant array of butterfly species (18 to be exact, check Mantra's post for more info), including the endangered 'Miami Blue,' native to South Florida, blending artistic beauty with scientific precision.

The lifelike renderings are arranged as if part of an exhibit case, offering a poignant commentary on lost biodiversity. Mantra’s work often celebrates small but essential parts of ecosystems, drawing attention to the fragile beauty of nature and inspiring the need for its protection. By painting these delicate creatures on a monumental scale with intricate detail, he highlights the wonder of the natural world in an urban environment.

“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 Mantra. He expressed gratitude to SEFC for providing a space that allowed him to create something of such magnitude.

The mural took over 400 hours to complete and required 200 gallons of paint. Remarkably, Mantra achieved the stunning precision of the work using only rollers, without relying on grids or projections, demonstrating his exceptional freehand technique. The project presented unique challenges due to the location’s exposure to strong winds and morning dampness from the nearby ocean, making the six-week process even more impressive.

SEFC’s commission transforms the rooftop of its garage into a vibrant visual experience for the tenants and residents of surrounding towers, solidifying its role in elevating Downtown Miami as a hub for cultural innovation. This mural surpasses Mantra’s previous large-scale project in Downtown Houston and represents a new milestone in his career.