Exploring Identity Through Art
Julie Acosta is a multidisciplinary artist based in California whose work explores identity, memory, and cultural storytelling. Working primarily in animation, mixed media, and illustration, her practice weaves together personal narratives and collective histories, often drawing from Indigenous perspectives and lived experience. Julie holds a B.A. in Art from UC Santa Cruz, where she deepened her interest in visual storytelling and cultural representation.
Her work is inspired by community, family, and the land—blending traditional techniques with playful experimentation. From frame-by-frame animation to hand-drawn illustration, Julie’s creative process is rooted in curiosity and care. She is also the author of Xiutla, a cultural fiction novel that reflects her passion for storytelling across mediums.
Through her art, Julie creates space for connection, reflection, and reimagining. Her practice continues to evolve as she explores themes of belonging, voice, and visibility.
XIUTLA - By Julie D Acosta
Set in 16th-century Mexico and Spain, Xiutla tells the story of Ysabel Xuihtlamiyaual, a young Nahua woman from the lush, vibrant valley of Xiutla, and her journey to preserve her people's heritage amid the Spanish conquest. Ysabel, the daughter of a chieftain, finds herself a bridge between her indigenous roots and the Spanish world, balancing love, resilience, and duty as she enters an arranged marriage with a Spanish nobleman. Through generations, her legacy endures, carried forward by her grandson Tlamatini, who seeks to reclaim his heritage and connect with the land and spirit of his ancestors. Xiutla is a powerful narrative of cultural pride, transformation, and the quest to keep one’s identity alive across time and adversity.