Miami, FL – April 24, 2025 – In a bold fusion of motorsport culture and contemporary art, Colombian-American artist Juan Salcedo has been tapped to design a Formula 1 racing suit as part of an exclusive collaboration between Puma and Shoe Palace, presented during the Lights Out Miami event. At just 20 years old, Salcedo, known for his deeply introspective and visually striking work, continues to challenge the limits of creative expression—this time through a medium rarely touched by artists of his generation: the iconic F1 driver’s uniform.
The custom-painted suit, which will be displayed for the partnership’s campaign, serves as both artwork and artifact. Its design centers on an overhead view of a Formula 1 car rendered with Salcedo’s signature blend of vibrant detail and imperfect intensity—a raw, unfiltered nod to how a child might remember drawing their dream car. A rough outline of the Miami Grand Prix circuit runs along the back, a subtle reference to both the artist’s hometown and the psychological training embedded in elite drivers.
“This project brought me back to one of the first things I ever loved,” says Salcedo. “As a kid, my dad would come home from work every day with a toy car. I would study each one, memorize their lines, connect them to the world outside. That fascination turned into imagination, which eventually turned into this.”
Salcedo’s selection by Shoe Palace and Puma is no accident. It’s a calculated recognition of his ability to speak to a generation often overlooked by traditional art institutions, yet deeply engaged with visual culture, streetwear, and sports. His work, which has been exhibited during Miami Art Basel, Miami Fashion Week, and in galleries such as Aura Copeland Gallery and White’s Art Gallery, resonates precisely because it’s rooted in lived experience—emotional, unsanitized, and socially relevant.
“I feel like this is a moment in my career where I can truly appreciate what my purpose has become,” Salcedo shares. “I’ve always wanted to inspire others—especially the youth—to chase their dreams. I’m incredibly grateful to Shoe Palace and Puma for trusting me with that responsibility. It’s more than just a suit. It’s a message.”
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