Available to hire
Hi, I’m Joaquim de Almeida, known as Juka, a Brazilian-Canadian interdisciplinary artist based in North Vancouver, Canada. My practice explores transformation, resilience, and the fluid boundaries between storytelling, movement, and materiality. I work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and I’m inspired by Capoeira—an Afro-Brazilian tradition where rhythm, play, and evasion become tools of resistance. My work spans experimental animation/film, illustration, sculpture, and mixed media, combining analog and digital techniques to create immersive narratives that challenge linear perceptions of time and identity.
I shape participatory experiences that invite audiences into the creative process and foster interdisciplinary dialogue, using narrative and movement as tools for creative exploration. Across installation, storytelling, and interactive media, I collaborate with artists and institutions to develop new forms of artistic engagement.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
Portuguese
Fluent
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced
Work Experience
Interdisciplinary Artist at Independent
January 1, 2022 - PresentDevelops multi-disciplinary art projects through residencies, independent commissions, and grant-funded research-creation. Works across sculpture, storytelling, animation, and mixed media, collaborating with artists and institutions to explore new forms of artistic engagement.
Guest Lecturer at OCAD University
January 1, 2025 - October 15, 2025Developed and taught interdisciplinary research-creation methodologies under the mentorship of Dr. Ayumi Goto, guiding graduate students in hybrid artistic processes across performance, material studies, and digital media.
O'kinadas Collective Researcher at Canada Council for The Arts
January 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025Invited researcher for the O'kina bas Collective Project, an initiative created by OCAD University professors with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. The project connects artists from around the world to foster artistic exchanges on ritualistic practices and research methodologies.
Guest Lecturer at Emily Carr University of Art + Design
January 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025Invited speaker for Arts Foundation undergraduate courses, led by Professor Sarah Shamash, covering topics in media, decolonial narratives, and experimental artistic methodologies.
Researcher & Filmmaker at OCAD University
January 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025Led visual storytelling, facilitated research translation, and developed interactive media strategies for an interactive documentary directed by Professor David McIntosh. The project explored Indigenous medicinal knowledge across Canada, Peru, and Argentina.
Besouro’s Adventure: A Tale of a Time Traveler at North Vancouver Community Centre Artistic Residency Program
January 1, 2025 - PresentSelected for the NVRC Artist Residency Program to develop an interdisciplinary project examining themes of resilience, adaptation, and cultural resistance through the figure of Besouro Mangangá, a legendary Brazilian capoeirista. The project combines sculptural installation, storytelling, and movement-based practices to reimagine historical narratives through contemporary artistic lenses.
Institutional Filmmaker at Instituto Bináh / Bináh Art Space
January 1, 2020 - October 15, 2025Produced promotional videos and visual content to showcase expanded educational arts initiatives. Led collaborations with schools, museums, NGOs, and corporate partners, developing strategies to enhance the visibility of institutional programs.
Head of Art Department at Escola Vera Cruz
January 1, 2020 - October 15, 2025Designed and led a comprehensive interdisciplinary art curriculum for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, integrating critical pedagogy with contemporary artistic practices. Developed teacher training programs on interdisciplinary learning, research-based art education, and visual literacy.
Educational Consultant at São José dos Campos District School Board
January 1, 2011 - October 15, 2025Collaborated with a team of education professionals to develop the public school early education curriculum, with a focus on strengthening the art and physical education framework.
Art & Capoeira Teacher at Various Institutions
January 1, 2014 - October 15, 2025Taught and developed arts-based educational programs across public and private institutions, emphasizing creative inquiry and visual storytelling.
Interdisciplinary Artist at Independent
January 1, 2022 - PresentDevelops multi-disciplinary art projects through residencies, independent commissions, and grant-funded research-creation. Works across sculpture, storytelling, animation, and mixed media, collaborating with artists and institutions to explore new forms of artistic engagement.
Guest Lecturer at OCAD University
January 1, 2025 - October 15, 2025Developed and taught interdisciplinary research-creation methodologies under the mentorship of Dr. Ayumi Goto, guiding graduate students in hybrid artistic processes across performance, material studies, and digital media.
O'kinabas Collective Researcher at Canada Council for The Arts
January 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025Invited researcher for the O'kinābas Collective Project, connecting artists worldwide to foster artistic exchanges on ritualistic practices and research methodologies.
Guest Lecturer at Emily Carr University of Art + Design
January 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025Invited speaker for Arts Foundation undergraduate courses, covering topics in media, decolonial narratives, and experimental artistic methodologies.
Researcher & Filmmaker at OCAD University
January 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025Led visual storytelling, facilitated research translation, and developed interactive media strategies for an interactive documentary directed by Professor David McIntosh.
Institutional Filmmaker at Instituto Bináh / Bináh Art Space
January 1, 2020 - October 15, 2025Produced promotional videos and visual content to showcase educational arts initiatives. Led collaborations with schools, museums, NGOs, and corporate partners.
Head of Art Department at Escola Vera Cruz
January 1, 2020 - October 15, 2025Designed and led a comprehensive interdisciplinary art curriculum for students from kindergarten to Grade 12, integrating critical pedagogy with contemporary artistic practices. Developed teacher training programs on interdisciplinary learning, research-based art education, and visual literacy.
Educational Consultant at São José dos Campos District School Board
January 1, 2011 - October 15, 2025Collaborated with a team of education professionals to develop the public school early education curriculum, with a focus on strengthening art and physical education framework.
Art & Capoeira Teacher at Various Institutions
January 1, 2014 - October 15, 2025Taught and developed arts-based educational programs across public and private institutions, emphasizing creative inquiry and visual storytelling.
Artist in Residence at North Vancouver Community Centre Artistic Residency Program
March 31, 2026 - October 15, 2025Selected for the NVRC Artist Residency to develop an inter-disciplinary project examining resilience, adaptation, and cultural resistance through the figure of Besouro Mangangá, integrating sculpture, storytelling, and movement-based practices.
Illustrator/Animator at Cheshire Moon Productions
January 1, 2023 - PresentDeveloped illustrations and animation concepts for a children’s book, expanding on themes of grief, imagination, and intergenerational storytelling.
Researcher & Artist at Shapeshifting Activism
January 1, 2023 - PresentA multiphase research-creation project exploring resistance, hybridity, and reinvention through mask-making, performance, and digital storytelling.
Education
3D Animation & Visual Effects Diploma at Vancouver Film School
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2024MFA, Interdisciplinary Art & Design at OCAD University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2022Honours Bachelor in Kinesiology at FMU, São Paulo, Brazil
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 20083D Animation & Visual Effects Diploma at Vancouver Film School
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2024MFA, Interdisciplinary Art & Design at OCAD University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2022Honours Bachelor in Kinesiology at FMU, São Paulo, Brazil
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2018Qualifications
OCAD University Medal & President’s Award for Best MFA
January 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025OCAD University Dean’s Scholarship
January 1, 2020 - October 15, 2025Jabuti Finalist - Brazil’s National Literary Award
January 1, 2018 - October 15, 2025Jabuti Finalist - Brazil’s National Literary Award
January 1, 2016 - October 15, 2025Jabuti Finalist - Brazil’s National Literary Award
January 1, 2015 - October 15, 2025Bologna Children's Book Fair Selection
January 1, 2015 - October 15, 2025Bologna Children's Book Fair Selection
January 1, 2014 - October 15, 2025Bologna Children's Book Fair Selection
January 1, 2012 - October 15, 2025OCAD University Medal & President’s Award for Best MFA
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022OCAD University Dean’s Scholarship
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020Jabuti Finalist - Brazil’s National Literary Award
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018Bologna Children's Book Fair Selection
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015Bologna Children's Book Fair Selection
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014Bologna Children's Book Fair Selection
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Hire a Artist
We have the best artist experts on Twine. Hire a artist in North Vancouver today.