Artist Showcase 003 / Taco Perdido - Barcelona

Last month (November 25), I headed back to the Catalan capital for something pretty special, the first-ever creative football festival hosted by Panenka, and the first of its kind in Spain. While I was there doing my thing, an artist I’ve admired for a long time swung by. Naturally, that sealed the deal for the third instalment of Artist Showcases. 

So, let me introduce you to another seriously talented creator from the west coast of South America, now calling Barcelona home.

Camilo or @taco_perdido on Instagram is a colourful painter and ceramic artist from Chile, taking inspiration from some of the greatest moments in world football.

I first came across Taco’s work when a beautiful risograph of Colombian legend Valderrama popped up on my feed, and honestly, it’s been pure joy ever since. His loose, fluid style gives him the freedom to capture football’s greats in full flow. Alongside his bold, vibrant paintings, he’s also started creating some weird and wonderful ceramic pieces mini retro shirts, boots, and a few other football-themed gems.

I could go on about his work for hours it’s genuinely one of the best examples I’ve seen of a painter truly capturing football at its finest. After our meeting at the Pop Up I reached out to Camilo for a visit to his studio and ask him a few questions, about his inspiration and stories behind his glorious football artwork.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started as a visual artist.

I was drawn to art from a very young age, but entering art school at university was a real eye opener. I experienced everything intensely and loved every moment. Learning how to truly see and discovering a whole world I never knew existed was incredibly exciting. After graduating, I began producing a wide range of works and projects in engraving, often exploring themes such as football and food.

Since then, I haven’t stopped creating or connecting with art.

What or who is your greatest inspiration when it comes to your work?

Art itself is a major source of inspiration for me especially observing my peers and engaging with cultural spaces. That’s where I learn to study and contemplate shapes, colours, and the people who create them.

I’m especially inspired by people who work relentlessly and are deeply obsessed with finding new ways to create.

Who are your favourite artists or creatives at the moment?

This is constantly changing. Every day, you discover new artists, store them away in your mind, and draw energy from their work.

British painter Peter Doig is always on my mind. Others I admire include Stephen Price, Jakub Cuska, Katherine Allen, Pablo Lisanbarth, Elizabeth Peyton, Seba Calfuqueo, Las Honorarias, Peter Doyle, and Gordo Pelota.

These are just a few, I could go on for hours.

@stephenart_

Who would you like to work with in the future?

I would love to design a kit for a club like Napoli, St. Pauli, or Rayo Vallecano, as I feel they have a more visionary and culturally driven outlook.

What is your next project or goal as an artist?

I’d love to exhibit in Japan and, ideally, be included in the exhibition program for the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

What music would you choose as the soundtrack for your work?

Romantic music, always. Donde Están los Ladrones by Shakira or A Medio Vivir by Ricky Martin although for some paintings, classic cumbias are perfect 😊

Big thanks to Camilo for taking the time to respond to this month’s artist showcase questions. A limited number of his brilliant limited edition, ceramic mini retro kits will be up on the store this afternoon (4pm UK Time) 

To explore more of his work or get in touch with him, visit his Instagram, where you’ll find an incredible collection of bold and imaginative creations in many styles and formats. He also has a current sale on with a lot of original pieces up for grabs. 

www.instagram.com/taco_perdido

Thanks for reading