La Sucursal salsa studio and bar by Brooke Lockwood in Adelaide

Painted during Cali’s iconic Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival—a joyful celebration of Afro-descendant culture—this mural was created for a salsa bar buzzing with rhythm and life. Working hand in hand with the owner, we played with color palettes and envisioned a portrait that would capture both strength and vibrancy. The result is Tomasa, a figure inspired by the song Tomasa by Cali Flow Latino (2016), tying the artwork directly to the pulse of salsa culture. Cali is not only the world’s salsa capital but also a gateway to Colombia’s Pacific coast, a region where humpback whales migrate each year. To honor this connection, the mural dives into the sea: a whale and a fish swim across the wall. Together, these details flow around Tomasa’s poised expression, weaving resilience, beauty, music, and movement into a single vibrant story—one that belongs as much to the community as it does to the dance floor.