Meet the Creative Powerforce behind RICH KID$ CLUB NFT$: CH Pulgarin Disrupts the Digital Art World

CH Pulgarin is the artist behind RICH KID$ CLUB NFT$ whose international appeal is greatly inspired by his multicultural experiences. CH’s in-your-face juxtaposition of historic art collaborations vs. pop-art and street style is disrupting the art, fashion, and digital NFT world today. Though his work and personification may be represented by an ant, his masterpieces are anything but small. CH Pulgarin is revolutionizing the international art world while staying true to his mission of helping children discover the power of creating. The Colombian raised artist is a stunning visionary exploding off the canvas and breaking down barriers past two dimensional realms.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Your name, where you live, and how you grew up?

My real name is Julian. Many know me as CH Pulgarin. It is not known where it came from. It has always been something of a mystery. I grew up in Colombia, in Medellin. And I was born in Los Angeles, California.

In one simple sentence, what are NFTs?

A digital asset that transcends the real world or the world of the first dimension.

What has your journey as an artist been like? Have you always been drawn to art, and where did that intersect with technology?

Ok, look, the essence of my work really originates in fashion because of the need to want to change many things, to want to change, to look different. And I wanted that fashion to be on a canvas, on art. When I felt the need that many people were in the same thing, we wanted to give a touch to that and we wanted that work to become a reality, and get it off of the canvas. That’s when we felt the need to put technology into it and unify it with the NFT’s theme as well.

How and why did you get into making NFTs?

It was an idea between several friends. It was an idea of several friends, because it is something that many people are seeing at the moment. People who are in technology, in video games, but there are not too many who are really artists, who create art and who can generate that at the same time. That is to say that the designs are really made by an artist, there are very few people. So that’s when we decided to get together with some friends and create this project.

What distinguishes you as an artist?

At this moment I am doing something that is the revaluation of artworks, that is, I am getting works from antique dealers, in Alabama, in Georgia, here in the United States, pieces that have been forgotten. Works of art that are in oblivion. So what I do with those works is to revalue them. I paint over those works and they are things that not many people have done. Just the fact that there is something beautiful. There is something beautiful, and that I feel I can make it more beautiful. There are very few people who have done this, that is. I am not satisfied with what is already there, with something that a designer or an artist has already done. I think that I can do much better things. So that is a differentiating factor in my work, that I always have to do something different from the others and when everyone else is doing something, I go to the opposite side and do something totally different or unexpected by doing crossovers and collaborations with fashion industries as well as social issues and initiatives.

My art has added value through the use of different materials and functionality. These tangible fashion pieces complement my artwork, and really differentiate me from other artists.

Can you tell us what is the best part and the worst part about your job?

The best part is that I’m getting paid for something that I love, and that I’m passionate about. And the worst part, I don’t know. Sometimes, when I have to fulfill a request from someone and I really kind of haven’t had the inspiration to do it. It can be a bad moment, but in the end inspiration always has to come.

Who or what is your inspiration?

The children. They expect a lot in the world which is going so fast right now. “Lil’ ANTS” or “CH’s Lil’ ANTS” is a social initiative I am working on that brings empowerment and resources to kids in Copacabana, Antioquia. RICH KID$ CLUB’s long-term plan is to continue to support the youth by encouraging them to pursue self-expression through art. Our goal is to fund a space where we can host kids with low resources and provide them with events and charity initiatives that contribute to their livelihood.

Also when you think you did something really well, and two or three days later someone else did something better than you. That inspires me a lot. Challenges inspire me a lot.

Is there a project coming up that you’re excited about that you can share with?

I am excited about my new project RICH KID$ CLUB. Soon we will be dropping 7424 NFTS. The project is personified by the character of the ‘ANT’ and its connotations to fashion, collaboration, and work ethic.

I understand the foundation of your work is built on three core values. Can you tell us more about that?

We have three core values: PA’ PLATA SIN PLOMO/ PA’ LA CULTURA / PA’ TRABAJAR COMO HORMIGA.

The first one is my mission to change the narrative of Colombia’s drug history by shifting the attention to success stories of artists, athletes, musicians and other Colombian public figures.

Our second brand value is for the culture. I use my art to inspire and promote self-expression and self-love. I encourage the next generation of artists by creating a culture of hope, innovation, and collaboration.

And the third one is to work like an ant. My ‘ANT’ personification demonstrates that by working hard and doing the right thing anyone can achieve their dreams. Money is not the problem rather how it is acquired.

Finally, is there someone you haven’t worked with that you would like to collaborate with?

I do think there are a lot of artists. A lot of artists are doing very good things. But I think it’s something that the energy has to flow between artists and between people. Getting to know each other, or at least building a certain friendship for that to work. 

But I do have a couple of artists there that I’d like to work with. Alec Monopoly. I really like what he has achieved. He is like the biggest reference in this type of art and we have had several approaches to work with him, but we have not been fortunate to make the time, but I think at some point it will happen.

Ready to join his army of ants? You can follow CH, his artwork, and initiatives on social media:

https://instagram.com/chpulgarin

https://twitter.com/ChPulgarin

https://twitter.com/Richkidsclub_io

https://instagram.com/richkidsclub.io

Interview by: Romina Martinez