Flávia Junqueira transforms the Watergate Hotel’s Next Whisky Bar into an immersive installation as part of Women United, on view through June 2026 in Washington.
Brazilian art at the heart of Washington, DC
From March 28 through June 30, 2026, the iconic Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC, hosts Women United, an international group exhibition dedicated to contemporary art made by women. Among the featured artists, Brazilian Flávia Junqueira stands out — both for the poetic power of her work and for the site-specific immersive installation she created exclusively for the space.
Housed in The Next Whisky Bar inside the hotel, Junqueira’s new piece completely reimagines the environment. Known for her balloon interventions in historically charged spaces, the artist offers a sensory experience: visitors are invited to walk through the installation, engage with the setting, and reflect on memory, time, and transformation.
The tension between lightness and depth
Her playful aesthetic — defined by balloons, vibrant colors, and references to childhood — contrasts sharply with the historical weight of the venues where her work is placed. It is precisely from this tension that the power of Junqueira’s art emerges: a dialogue between lightness and depth, between celebration and permanence.
A dialogue between lightness and depth, between celebration and permanence.
Based in São Paulo, Flávia Junqueira has built a solid, internationally recognized career. She holds a doctorate in Visual Arts from Unicamp, a master’s degree from USP, and an undergraduate degree from FAAP. Her work is held in major collections including the Museum of Art of Rio (MAR), the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo (MAM-SP), the Museum of Image and Sound, and the Instituto Figueiredo Ferraz, among others.
An exhibition connecting global women’s voices
Women United also features four other contemporary artists from different countries, each bringing distinct approaches and visual languages.
- French artist Emilie Picard presents delicate paintings that explore life’s fragility through discarded objects and surfaces marked by cracks and tears.
- British artist Athena Anastasiou blends painting, abstraction, and textile techniques to reflect on the beauty and vulnerability of the planet.
- Dutch artist Ellen de Meijer investigates contemporary archetypes in portraits that oscillate between aggressor and victim, questioning social structures and power dynamics.
- Multidisciplinary artist Lesley Bodzy challenges the boundaries between painting and sculpture, turning pigments into three-dimensional forms.
The exhibition grew out of the Women United movement, launched during the pandemic to connect women artists worldwide — particularly those balancing artistic practice with motherhood and caregiving.
The Watergate Hotel and its iconic history
The Watergate Hotel is far more than a luxury address. It is directly tied to one of the most defining moments in American political history: in June 1972, the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee was broken into at the Watergate complex, triggering the scandal that forced President Richard Nixon to resign in 1974.
Reopened in 2016 after a major renovation, the hotel now embraces its past openly. The Scandal Room is decorated with artifacts referencing the historic episode. The property blends that legacy with a contemporary hospitality concept, featuring three bars — including the rooftop Top of the Gate — and the all-day restaurant Kingbird.
Event Info
- Exhibition: Women United
- Dates: March 28 – June 30, 2026
- Venue: The Next Whisky Bar, The Watergate Hotel – Washington, DC
- Website: https://www.thewatergatehotel.com/events-calendar/women-united-a-global-artists-exhibition
