El Born is a neighborhood currently locked in a brutal wrestling match with its own identity. On one side, you have the relentless tide of brunch spots, boutique hotels, and shops selling the kind of mass-produced trinkets that end up in a landfill within six months. On the other, you have the narrow, damp, shadow-drenched alleys like Carrer dels Mirallers, where the stones still feel like they belong to the Middle Ages. It’s here, at number 14, that you’ll find Free Fall MinaJoe Art—a space that feels less like a commercial gallery and more like a high-voltage transmission station for the human spirit.
MinaJoe, or Yasmina Abd Elrahman, is what she calls a 'soulartist.' In a city where every second person claims to be a creative, she’s the real deal. She doesn’t just paint; she channel-surfs through the subconscious, blending the discipline of Kundalini Yoga with the raw, unfiltered energy of the Barcelona streets. Her work is a visceral punch to the gut—vibrant, asymmetrical, and heavily influenced by the heavy hitters like Picasso and Hilma af Klint, but with a kinetic energy that is entirely her own. The 'Free Fall' series isn't just a name; it’s a philosophy. It’s about that terrifying, beautiful moment of letting go, of surrendering to the movement of life without a safety net.
Walking into the studio, you aren't greeted by a bored docent or a price list printed on heavy cardstock. You’re stepping into a workspace. There’s the smell of fresh paint and the quiet intensity of someone who actually gives a damn about what they’re putting on the canvas. Since 2024, MinaJoe has been taking her work to the streets, literally. She uses the public walls of Ciutat Vella as a canvas because she believes art shouldn't be trapped behind the velvet ropes of a museum. It should be accessible, direct, and capable of stopping a stranger in their tracks. Her street art pieces—like 'Life is a Dance' or 'Courage Pays Off'—are scattered through the neighborhood like breadcrumbs for the soul.
This isn't one of those 'best art galleries Barcelona' lists where everything is polished and predictable. This is a place for the seekers. If you’re looking for a framed print of a sunset to match your sofa, keep walking. But if you want to see what happens when an artist decides to stop living for the ego and start living for the 'inner truth,' this is your stop. The art here explores nudity, physicality, and the symbol of the woman as a force of self-determination. It’s unapologetic, it’s colorful, and it’s deeply personal.
Is it worth visiting? If you’re the kind of person who finds beauty in the cracks of the pavement and the way light hits a spray-painted door at 2:00 AM, then yes. It’s one of the few things to do in El Born that doesn't feel like it was designed by a marketing committee. It’s a reminder that despite the gentrification and the tourist hordes, the creative heart of Barcelona is still beating, still fighting, and still very much in free fall. Go there, buy a sketch, talk to the artist if she’s around, and remember what it feels like to actually feel something.
Type
Tourist attraction
Duration
30-60 minutes
Best Time
Late afternoon when the light hits the narrow streets of El Born and the studio vibe is most active.
Free Admission
No tickets required
The 'Free Fall' street art series
Original canvas paintings from the 'Ultravioleta' collection
Hand-drawn sketches on paper
Check the artist's Instagram for live painting events or workshops
Look for her street art pieces on the surrounding doors and walls in El Born
Don't be afraid to ask about the philosophy behind the 'soul art'—it's part of the experience
Direct access to the artist's working studio and creative process
Unique blend of Kundalini Yoga philosophy and contemporary street art
Authentic, non-commercial atmosphere in a heavily touristed neighborhood
Carrer dels Mirallers, 14
Ciutat Vella, Barcelona
A thousand years of silence tucked behind a Romanesque monastery, where the grit of El Raval dissolves into ancient stone, cool shadows, and the heavy weight of history.
Forget the plastic bulls and tacky magnets. This is where Barcelona’s soul is bottled into art, a small sanctuary of local design hidden in the shadows of the Gothic Quarter.
A raw, paint-splattered antidote to the sterile museum circuit. This is where pop-art meets the grit of the street, served straight from the artist’s hands in the heart of old Barcelona.
Yes, if you prefer raw, independent contemporary art over sterile museums. It offers a unique look at the intersection of street art, yoga philosophy, and intuitive painting in the heart of El Born.
MinaJoe focuses on 'soul art,' which includes vibrant canvas paintings, sketches on paper, and expressive street art. Her style is influenced by expressionism and cubism, often featuring themes of movement and self-determination.
While the studio often has open hours, it is best to contact the artist via her website (minajoe.com) or social media to ensure she is present, as it is a working creative space.
The studio is located in El Born, just a 2-minute walk from the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. The nearest metro station is Jaume I (L4).
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