about the Giufa Project.
The Giufà Project is a creative collaboration between young people, artists, and organisations across Europe exploring migration, identity, and social justice. It grew out of The Complete Freedom of Truth (TCFT) and was commissioned by Glyndebourne. During a ten-day summer residency in Battle, UK, displaced youth joined international artists to tell stories inspired by the folkloric figure Giufà, a wise character known across Mediterranean cultures. Through this figure, the project reflects on how identity shifts through displacement and belonging, using art to build empathy, spark dialogue, and connect communities across borders.
my experience.
Giufà is a project very close to my heart. My journey began when I was invited to develop the visual concept and design the website for this remarkable international initiative. The brief was unusual: to create a character with no fixed identity, a true antithesis, since a “character” usually implies individuality and personality. The first weeks were spent exploring this tension, finding ways to give form to something intentionally undefined.
Stories from around the world, about Giufà, Cecco, Jha, El Tonto, and many others, shaped every brushstroke and line of ink. Nothing in the visual identity was left to chance. Watercolor was incorporated throughout the design to convey fluidity and depth, allowing imagination and personal interpretation to flourish. It also helped create contrast and visual focal points, guiding viewers toward key information and enhancing the user experience.
The visual identity extended across all branded materials, including flyers, posters, stationery, apparel, and web design, creating a cohesive and immersive experience that reflects the character’s essence and the project’s global inspiration.
The hand-painted strokes give the project a human touch, emphasizing flexibility and the creative spirit behind Giufà. Each contour and wash of watercolor was carefully considered to create contrast, highlight essential elements, and guide the viewer through the experience, while leaving room for personal interpretation and imagination. The organic shapes and fluid forms reinforce the sense of movement and adaptability at the heart of the project
The character itself is a fluid, evolving presence, composed from the letters of the word “Giufa” to form a naive yet expressive portrait. Though Giufà has Turkish origins, his identity remains open and universal, reflecting the project’s global nature. Hand sketches and iterative exploration shaped the final design, ensuring the character could resonate across cultures while remaining intentionally undefined and flexible.
Explore the Giufà project in more depth by visiting the website and discovering the stories behind the character.
source: giufa instagram page
source: giufa instagram page
source: giufa instagram page
source: giufa instagram page
impressions.
"It's a beautiful website mirroring the beauty of our work together. Looking forward to where Giufa will lead us" - Tina Ellen Lee (Opera Circus)
