For urban artist Lucas, life in Buenos Aires is a balancing act—managing the demands of a big city, raising his children, and pursuing his passion for art.
But one constant in his life has always been football, particularly his devotion to River Plate. “My love for football and River Plate comes from my childhood,” Lucas shares. “It’s a family passion that my dad instilled in me from a young age.”
Throughout our time together, Lucas reflects on his early memories of the “Ramón Díaz era” in the 1990s, when he first attended River Plate matches and watched players like Enzo Francescoli and Marcelo Salas, who became his idols.
He also discusses his journey into art, which began in his teenage years and took off after he turned 20, starting with abstraction and evolving into large-scale urban works influenced by artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Lucas opens up about the challenges of finding inspiration in a society where football and cultural issues dominate everyday life. “Football is a big part of it,” he says. “It’s fascinating how it can affect our social mood.” He also shares the satisfaction he finds in the creative process, describing it as an unpredictable journey: “You know how it starts, but you never know how it will end or what it will evoke in the viewer.”
It was a pleasure for The Atlantic Dispatch to sit down with Lucas as he discusses his painting of Enzo Pérez on the Labruna Bridge, and offers insights into how his love for art and football continues to shape his life and career.
THEY BECAME MY IDOLS
My love for football and River Plate stems from my childhood. I grew up watching football; it’s a family passion that my dad instilled in me from a young age.
Life in Argentina is complex. I try to make each day unique, which is a challenge in a bustling city like Buenos Aires as I balance my work as an artist with raising my children.
Among my favourite memories as a River fan, I’ll never forget the “Ramón Díaz era.” It was the ‘90s, and those were my first years attending the stadium to watch one of the most successful teams in River Plate’s and football’s history.
Players like Enzo Francescoli, Ariel Ortega, and Marcelo Salas shaped how I see the game and became my idols.
PERFECT FUSION OF FOOTBALL AND ART
My interest in art began during my teenage years at school. Art and music captivated me and my friends back then. I stumbled into art after turning 20, starting with abstraction.
That intense search and experimentation every artist experiences led me to create pieces on canvas that I envisioned bringing to walls and streets.
Looking back, I realize Jean-Michel Basquiat has been a major influence on my development as an urban artist.
Every piece I create holds something special for me. Painting Enzo Pérez as a goalkeeper on the Labruna Bridge was particularly significant because the image I captured felt like a perfect fusion of football and art.
The works that followed were deeply connected to that initial piece, my love for football, and my passion for River Plate.
YOU KNOW HOW IT BEGINS BUT YOU NEVER KNOW HOW IT WILL END
Inspiration used to worry me, but now that I have a clearer path, finding it has become enjoyable.
The society I live in presents constant challenges, sparking themes to explore. Social, cultural, and political issues have always been my biggest sources of inspiration.
Football also plays a huge role. In our society, where football and sports dominate so much of our time, I find it fascinating how the game can influence our collective mood. That dynamic truly intrigues me as an artist.
What I love most about my work is the creative process. Having an idea and watching it evolve into a finished piece brings me immense joy.
You know how it begins, but you can never predict how it will end or what emotions it might evoke in viewers.
That’s what makes it so exciting. The recognition for your work carries a value that often surpasses monetary rewards—it’s incredibly fulfilling.
ALL OUR THANKS TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT IS LUCAS.
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIS WORK HERE.