“La Bombonera is the only stadium in the world that beats.”
Fabian Lozano is a Colombian artist whose unique journey has taken him from the small town of El Rosal, near Bogotá, to the bustling streets of Brooklyn, New York.
Along the way, he has blended his two greatest passions—football and art—into stunning digital illustrations that celebrate the spirit of Boca Juniors, one of Argentina’s most iconic football clubs.
His vibrant works capture the emotion and history of the team, drawing inspiration from the legendary players and unforgettable moments that define Boca’s rich legacy.
From his early dreams of becoming a professional footballer to his evolution as a digital artist, Lozano’s connection to the game runs deep.
Now, through his project “Azulado y Oro,” he brings to life the passion of Boca’s supporters, all while paying homage to La Bombonera, the stadium he calls the true temple of world football.
The Atlantic Dispatch sat down with Lozano as he reflected on a love for the game sparked by his father, and how his dream of becoming a professional footballer eventually led him down a creative path. He also discusses the influence of Boca’s golden era, particularly the impact of Colombian players like Oscar Cordoba, Chicho Serna, and Jorge Bermudez, and how his first visit to La Bombonera in 2005 cemented his lifelong connection to the club.
MY FATHER TAUGHT ME HOW TO PLAY
I was born and raised in Colombia, in a small town called El Rosal, very close to Bogotá D.C. Afterwards, I lived for 10 years in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I studied Multimedia Design. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York, where I create all my Boca Juniors illustrations.
My love for soccer began when I was very young, thanks to my father. He always took me to see his games and taught me how to play.
At home, we spent hours in front of the television watching any game, including the 1998 World Cup in France and the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
I played as a creative midfielder and dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. I even played for the reserve team of Independiente Santa Fe, a professional team in Colombia, but I couldn’t make it to the professional level.
IT WAS A DREAM DAY
My love for Boca Juniors stems from the golden age of the club. I saw on television that there were three Colombians—Oscar Cordoba, Chicho Serna, and Jorge Bermudez—who kept lifting trophies and when they showed them at La Bombonera, I was mesmerised by that stadium, those colours, and the passion of the people.
When I was 13, in 2005, I had the opportunity to experience my first match at La Bombonera, and I became a Xeneize fan for life.
Without a doubt, one of my greatest memories is that first match. Boca won 1-0, Maradona was in his box, and my dad bought me a Boca jersey from the store. It was a dream day
My first great hero was Juan Roman Riquelme. I admired everything he did because I played in that position. I wanted to replicate his plays and passes.
Watching him lead Boca to victory against Real Madrid in Tokyo was incredible; it felt like being part of the best club in the world, thanks to Riquelme’s epic performance.
Another great idol was Carlos Tevez. He was a player full of desire, and I admired the power he possessed and the energy he brought to the field.
UNITING MY TWO PASSIONS
I always enjoyed drawing, but I was so focused on playing soccer that drawing was more of a hobby, something I did occasionally.
Once I stepped away from soccer, I travelled to Buenos Aires to closely follow Boca Juniors and study Multimedia Design, which is purely digital. I had already moved away from traditional brushes and pencils but got closer to digital representation and communication.
In 2021, I decided to dedicate more time to practising illustration on the iPad. I drew for hours and hours until I perfected my technique. I felt more comfortable, and that’s when I decided to unite my two passions—drawing and Boca Juniors—and that’s how Azulado y Oro was born.
IT FUELS MY PASSION
There are iconic moments in Boca’s history that I illustrate, such as Riquelme’s nutmeg on Yepes, Topo Giggio, Palermo’s legendary muletazo, the Libertadores trophies, and Maradona at various stages of his career.
These illustrations are essential to me. I add my unique style and touch, and they remind fans of very happy moments.
Additionally, I enjoy creating illustrations of situations that are about to happen—like an upcoming signing, a player reaching a milestone, or the presentation of new jerseys. I generate these ideas by connecting with what fans talk about on social media.
They guide me on what they would like to see, and I take that information to create illustrations from my imagination of something they have not yet seen.
Seeing that the fans appreciate my work is gratifying; it fuels my passion to continue creating. Knowing that I hit the exact point of what they want to see helps me guide the direction of this project.
IT IS THE TEMPLE OF WORLD FOOTBALL
Witnessing La Bombonera is unlike anything else. La Bombonera is the only stadium in the world that beats, the only stadium in the world that saves penalties, the only stadium in the world that scores goals, the only stadium in the world that sings louder when it concedes a goal, and the only stadium in the world that truly makes you live football.
It is the temple of world football, and all of this is thanks to its fans. They say that Boca fans are crazy, but as one of the fans’ banners says, “Only those who share my passion understand my madness.”
ALL OUR THANKS TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT IS FABIAN LOZANO.
YOU CAN FOLLOW FABIAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE.