An Australian Artist Illustrates Colombia’s Traditional Flavors and Conquers Social Media

From enchanting juices to traditional dishes that evoke nostalgia, an Australian content creator has found in Colombia an endless source of artistic inspiration. This is Eddie White, an illustrator born in Adelaide who went viral on social media thanks to his colorful illustrations depicting Colombia’s flavors, customs, and traditional foods. With a style full of humor and detail, White has managed to connect with millions of Colombians who see themselves reflected in every stroke.

White arrived in Colombia in 2020, shortly before the start of the pandemic, and decided to stay. What began as a personal exploration of the country eventually turned into a creative project that now circulates widely on Instagram and TikTok, where his posts accumulate thousands of interactions.

Eddie White is an Australian illustrator and content creator who found a new home and a new artistic narrative in Colombia. His work is characterized by a vibrant aesthetic, caricature-style characters, and meticulous attention to cultural details. Unlike generic representations, White focuses on everyday scenes: Traditional breakfasts, visits to the neighborhood shop, family meals, and habits that often go unnoticed by Colombians themselves, something as simple as “going shopping with mom to Only (clothing store).”

Since arriving in the country, White has dedicated his work to portraying Colombian customs, traditional foods, fruits, snacks, and popular phrases, turning the everyday into the main subject. This external yet close perspective has been key to his success, as it offers a fresh reinterpretation of Colombia’s gastronomic and cultural identity.

Illustrations that celebrate Colombian flavors

Among his most viral works is the series “The 40 flavors most missed outside Colombia,” an illustration that brings together products and dishes deeply rooted in the collective memory. It features everything from lulo juice, papa criolla, and ajiaco, to snacks such as choclitos, Chocoramo, arepas, lechona, arequipe, buñuelos, corozo juice, pan de bono, beans, sancocho, and arepa de huevo, among many others.

White has also created regional series such as “The flavors of the Colombian Amazon” and “The flavors of Medellin and Antioquia,” highlighting the country’s gastronomic diversity and the richness of its local ingredients. His work not only appeals to taste, but also to the emotional memory of those living outside Colombia who long for these flavors.

Another of his most talked-about illustrations is “The Colombian cure for a hangover,” a humorous piece that brings together popular dishes and drinks associated with recovery after a long night. It features chicken sancocho, rib broth, calentao, lechona, fish consommé, rice pastel, lulo juice, hot chocolate, hayaca, guarapo, fritanga, beer, Tolima-style tamal, and commercial products such as Bonfiest and Electrolit.

Cultural impact and connection with the public

White’s work has sparked widespread conversation on social media. While some of his caricatures — especially those related to regional stereotypes — have drawn criticism, his art is generally seen as a celebration of Colombia’s cultural diversity. His success lies in the fact that Colombians feel reflected in simple, authentic scenes, from hot chocolate with cheese to sharing a bag of local snacks.

In addition to his social media work, White published the book “Caldo de Ojo,” where he combines graphic humor with references to everyday life in Colombia. Through his art, this Australian illustrator not only depicts flavors but also builds a cultural bridge that transforms Colombian gastronomy into a universal visual language.