Art is the way I live and understand the world. Through color and form, I transform emotion, memory, and experience into visual language.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I create expressive figurative work that blends abstraction with bold color and graphic elements. My focus is on identity, emotion, and human experience, often using distortion and layered composition to challenge perception and invite conversation.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in everyday life—people, relationships, culture, and memory. My work is shaped by personal experiences, migration, and the emotional complexity of identity. I’m also inspired by contrast: chaos and beauty, order and fragmentation, and the tension between them.
What would you do with $25,000?I would invest in expanding my studio practice—materials, larger-scale works, and new mediums. I would also produce a cohesive body of work for exhibition, document it professionally, and build a stronger platform to reach collectors and institutions.
Vote for Carlos Buitrago to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
