The mural required approximately 180 buckets of acrylic paint, 2,800 cans of spray paint, and 7 furnaces to create.
The five faces represent the Mursi (Ethiopia), Kayin (Thailand), European (representing the white race), Supi (North American native), and Huli (Papua New Guinea).
The total surface area covers 3,000 square meters of concrete wall.
The project took two months to complete, finishing just before the 2016 Rio Olympic Games opening ceremony.
The wall was specifically chosen for its visibility to thousands of spectators arriving via the nearby light rail and walking paths.
Kobra utilized a mechanical lift throughout the entire process due to the massive scale of the vertical surface.
The Etnias mural, created by Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra for the 2016 Rio Olympics, spans 3,000 square meters along the Olympic Boulevard. It depicts five indigenous faces representing the five Olympic continents, symbolizing unity and diversity. The mural stands 15 meters high and stretches 170 meters long. It was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest spray-painted mural by a single artist at the time of its completion. The artwork uses a vibrant geometric style characteristic of Kobra's signature aesthetic. It is located on the facade of a decommissioned warehouse in the revitalized Porto Maravilha port district. The site is part of the Orla Conde promenade, a pedestrian-only zone created for the Games. It remains one of the most prominent examples of urban art in Brazil.
The center of the pedestrian walkway, which allows for a full-length panoramic view of the entire 170-meter stretch.
Visit during the early morning to avoid harsh midday shadows that can obscure the colors.
Stay on the pedestrian walkway side; do not attempt to cross into the street traffic lanes for better angles.
Bring sun protection as the waterfront walkway offers limited natural shade during the walk.
Do not leave your belongings unattended, as the area can be crowded with tourists.
