Colombian Artist Judasaca Redefines Art Through Technology and NFTs
Colombian artist Juan Salazar, known professionally as Judasaca, is making waves in the art world by blending traditional painting techniques with modern technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). His innovative approach has led to exhibitions in prestigious venues globally. In a recent interview with Colombia One, Salazar discusses his artistic journey and the evolution of his work.
With over 15 years in marketing and international business, Salazar officially began his artistic career in 2018, although his early works date back to 2014. His passion for art blossomed during his master’s studies in Barcelona, where he was inspired by local artists to pursue his creative aspirations. Upon returning to Bogotá, he immersed himself in the vibrant art scene of the San Felipe art district and launched his inaugural solo exhibition in 2020. “I not only managed to exhibit but also sold a piece at that first show,” he reminisces, which fueled his dedication to his artistic path. Salazar made his international debut in 2021, entering the realm of crypto art, NFTs, and blockchain technology.
Exploring the Intersection of Art and NFTs
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have revolutionized the ownership and trading of digital art via blockchain technology, providing artists like Salazar with novel opportunities for expression and distribution. “After returning to Colombia, inspired by my exhibition, I launched my first NFT collection, which included five pieces. I sold it in under a day. This experience illuminated a potential pathway for showcasing my work to a broader audience — a global one,” he explains. Following his return to Bogotá in 2021, Salazar participated in his first international NFT exhibition in Panama, which he described as the dawn of his global journey. “I realized it wasn’t solely about selling in a digital marketplace; it was about exhibiting and extending my art’s reach beyond borders,” he adds. By the end of 2022, he observed international NFT trends in major cities like New York, Paris, and Miami, learning how artists were elevating their work. Salazar soon became part of a global artistic community where the lines between the digital and physical realms continue to blur.
Significant Milestones and Collaborations
Salazar’s evolving reality as an artist demonstrates his adaptability and contemporary vision. In early 2023, he received an invitation to showcase his work in New York — a pivotal moment in his career. His art was displayed on the massive screens of Times Square as part of a global NFT exhibition. “We weren’t just presenting our works digitally for a private audience — we engaged with a vast public. For an entire day, we dominated New York’s screens, showcasing our artwork and experiencing that recognition as participating artists. It introduced us to a completely new dynamic,” he reflects.
Collaboration plays a crucial role in Salazar’s artistic journey. Alongside friends Yuseph Zapata (YuZapata) and Lucas Zapata (Luko), he co-founded an artistic collective named The Art Cartel. “For Colombians, the term ‘cartel’ often carries negative connotations abroad,” he explains. “We aimed to reclaim it, transforming it into a positive representation of creativity and community. After all, the word ‘art’ is embedded within ‘cartel’, in both English and Spanish,” he notes. The collective has been invited to NFT NYC in 2024 and 2025, not only to showcase their work but also to present a talk before numerous attendees in New York. They shared insights about merging art and technology through augmented and virtual reality, creating immersive experiences that link traditional and digital art forms. “These interactions have demonstrated the immense potential of NFTs, especially for those of us with a background in traditional art, such as painting on physical canvases,” the artist states.
Salazar’s work has gained international exposure, reaching notable events like Miami Art Week, Art Basel, and locations across Portugal, Finland, Japan, Madrid, Mexico, and Costa Rica, highlighting his role as a digital innovator and a bold artistic voice.
Transforming Pop Culture Through Emotion and Art
The artistic universe of Judasaca revolves around the idea of transformation — embracing the belief that “nothing remains constant.” Through this perspective, he reinterprets pop culture icons like Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, and Woodstock, recontextualizing them beyond their original narratives. His recent works encourage viewers to move past mere nostalgia and uncover deeper emotions and reflections that resonate with Salazar’s experiences. “If the viewer takes a moment to pause — to look beyond the surface — they will discover a message beneath it. In my latest collection, I have focused more on my emotions and how they manifest through these cultural icons that influenced our childhood. Seeing them now, we recognize, ‘Wow, I’m not five anymore.’ Everything changes,” he reflects.
Judasaca combines his marketing expertise with an artistic sensibility, playing with animated icons on canvas that challenge the notion of permanence. The outcome is a hybrid body of work that bridges both physical and virtual realms. His paintings often incorporate augmented or digital elements, illustrating a world in constant flux, where even the icons that shaped our childhood must adapt. “I engage with art and technology to craft experiences that transcend the canvas — and the screen,” he asserts.
Crypto Art, Virtual Reality, and New Opportunities
Salazar underscores the importance of community in the worldwide reception of his art. “In the Web3 art landscape, or crypto art, incredibly dynamic interactions arise from community support,” he explains. These networks offer more than just exposure; they serve as platforms for artists to connect and collaborate globally. Salazar is also a member of One Love ArtDAO, a decentralized organization that champions artists worldwide. Additionally, he co-founded Chromaverse, a platform that allows artists to exhibit their work in both physical and digital galleries, enhanced with immersive virtual reality experiences. In 2024, Salazar and other Latin American artists were selected for the 10×10 Blockchain initiative, showcasing ten artists on the Bitcoin blockchain. “Being part of this project enabled us, particularly as Latin American artists, to access a global market, sell our work, and gain recognition that can be hard to come by in emerging markets where art collecting is just beginning to flourish,” he remarks.
These experiences highlight how Salazar’s innovative approach — merging traditional painting methods with immersive digital experiences — has introduced his vision to a worldwide audience. By utilizing NFTs, virtual reality exhibitions, and community networks, he has created new avenues for Colombian art to thrive on the international stage.
