Interview
Yuseph David Zapata Lamir
Yuseph David Zapata Lamir, known as YuZapata in the art world, is a graphic designer and artist from Cartagena, Colombia. He’s been creating art since he could first hold a pencil—a passion that led him to study graphic design and eventually launch his own creative agency. Along the way, he realized that his true voice lived in the intersection of street culture, digital expression, and fine art. YuZapata’s work bridges the playful and the profound, moving seamlessly from canvas to digital screen, from the street to international galleries. At the heart of his art is Palometa the Pigeon—an iconic character that embodies joy, absurdity, and the overlooked beauty of everyday life. Through Palometa, Yuseph turns fleeting moments of humor and happiness into bold visual statements. His pieces have been exhibited in both physical and digital spaces around the world, including Bogotá, Miami, Mexico City, New York City, Barcelona, Portugal, Tokyo, Taipei, and more. A major milestone in his career was seeing his Palometas take over the screens of Times Square. In 2025, he will mark another breakthrough with his first U.S. solo exhibition at Bushwick Gallery in Brooklyn.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My name is Yuseph David Zapata Lamir, known in the art world as YuZapata. I'm a graphic designer and artist from Cartagena, Colombia. I've been surrounded by art my entire life - my mother, a self-taught artist, filled our home with her handmade creations. Growing up in that environment made me fall in love with art, and I started painting comics, dreaming of becoming a comic artist. When it came time for university, the closest path was graphic design. After graduating, I launched my own creative company, Actif Studio, where I design for clients daily. For a while, that work pulled me away from my own artistic voice - until the 2020 lockdown. During that time, I submitted an illustrated map of my hometown to a book called They Draw and Travel. It was published, and for the first time, I truly saw myself as an artist. That moment reignited my passion. I began developing my own street art style, merging it with my digital background. Naturally, I gravitated toward the NFT movement and went full-time into the Web3 art space. Since then, I’ve grown with an incredible community, exhibited my Palometas globally, and fused technology into my craft. Most recently, I’ve been proud to connect with Bushwick Gallery, where my work finds new audiences and conversations in an exciting, dynamic setting.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My art talks about the small moments of joy of everyday life through Palometa the pigeon. My ultimate goal is to bring street art into the highest levels of fine art, the same way pigeons get into places they don't belong.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I start by creating the digital piece in Procreate. Working digitally allows me to explore concepts freely, adjust compositions, and refine the details before committing to a final direction. It’s a flexible space where I can experiment and plan out the full vision of a piece in advance. Once the digital version feels complete, I use it as a blueprint to guide the physical creation.”
“My art talks about the small moments of joy of everyday life through Palometa the pigeon. My ultimate goal is to bring street art into the highest levels of fine art, the same way pigeons get into places they don't belong.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“I stay closely connected to the digital art and Web3 space. I’m especially drawn to how technology is reshaping the relationship between artists and audiences. The NFT movement, for example, has opened up new ways to share and archive digital work, build community, and experiment with formats that traditional galleries might not support. While I focus heavily on the physical side of my art, I follow these trends to stay part of that evolving conversation and to challenge how and where art can exist.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“For the physical pieces, I typically work with spray paint and acrylic markers as my foundation. From there, I like to blend in more traditional materials - oil paint, silver leaf, and gold leaf - to bring additional texture, richness, and contrast. I enjoy combining modern street art tools with classical techniques, creating pieces that feel both contemporary and timeless. While I do mint the digital version as an NFT, it's more of a way to document the work and offer it in digital spaces - the real focus is always on the physical, hands-on process.”
What does your art mean to you?
“My art means happiness. It’s a celebration of the light, often-overlooked moments that give life its real color. I draw inspiration from memes, jokes, and the kind of silly ideas that most people scroll past without a second thought. But to me, those small, joyful fragments - things that make us laugh unexpectedly or smile for no reason - are deeply meaningful. They carry a raw, unfiltered energy that cuts through the noise of everyday stress. My goal is to capture that energy and channel it into my pieces, turning fleeting humor into something lasting.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My favorite artwork is The Starry Night by Van Gogh. I love the movement of the clouds and the calm it emanates to me - it feels alive, almost like the sky is breathing. Despite the intensity of the brushstrokes, there's a deep sense of peace in the piece that I find endlessly inspiring.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My works have been exhibited in both physical and digital spaces across the globe, including Bogotá, Miami, Mexico City, New York City, Barcelona, Portugal, Tokyo, Taipei, and more. One of the moments I’m most proud of was seeing my Palometas take over the screens of Times Square - a surreal experience and a major milestone in my career. Coming up, I’ll be having my first solo show in New York City at Bushwick Gallery, a moment that marks a new chapter in my journey and a deeper connection with the American art scene.”
