John Zamudio
John Zamudio, a renowned Christian artist and public speaker, is fluent in Spanish, English, and French. He has delivered lectures at TEDx events, universities, and various other venues. Zamudio has also been featured on the BYU International channel, KUTV, KSL, Telemundo, Univision, and other media outlets. He was recognized with a nomination for the “Peruvian Pride Award” presented by the Peruvian Congress and the “Tumi USA Award 2017.”
John was born in Lima, Peru. At the age of two, he suffered severe burns and scar tissue damage to both hands after accidentally falling into an open flame while playing with friends. This incident caused him to struggle with mobility issues in some of his fingers for many years.
At the age of four, he witnessed a catastrophic explosion at a local fireworks factory. The ensuing debris and sky-lighting spectacle caused him to develop a high fever and several weeks of insomnia. As a result, John acquired a severe stutter that he was unable to overcome.
Navigating school with these physical limitations and speech impediments proved to be a significant challenge for John, hindering his ability to form friendships at a young age.
The individual experienced difficulty speaking and frequently stuttered when attempting to express more than a few words at a time. To avoid bullying and teasing from other students, he concealed his hands, a common behavior among children. During recess, he was unable to freely participate and engage in play with the other children, resulting in feelings of exclusion.
His mother felt remorseful about his challenges and was resolute in assisting him in overcoming them. She encouraged his artistic pursuits and provided unwavering support to facilitate his skill development. Over time, he observed a gradual improvement in his drawings and had emerged with a newfound talent.
“My mother instilled in me the belief that challenges in life serve as opportunities for personal growth and development. By addressing our weaknesses and strengthening ourselves, we become more capable of assisting others.”
Through her guidance, I came to understand that happiness is not contingent upon external circumstances, but rather an internal disposition that originates from within. Happiness is not a goal to be attained; rather, it is a way of life that permeates every day. The love and teachings of his mother, despite the challenges he faced, fostered a remarkably joyful childhood for John, instilling in him the belief that he could achieve anything he set his mind to.
John sought the counsel of several specialists, including an MRI, to address his stuttering. However, no physical abnormalities were detected. The underlying cause was emotional, and long-term psychological therapy could have been beneficial, but financial constraints prevented its implementation.
At the tender age of seven, John discovered the transformative power of a positive attitude in transforming one’s circumstances. He comprehended that every event in life has a purpose, and it is our choice to perceive them positively or negatively. We possess the control to shape the kind of life we desire.
For individuals with stuttering, anticipating the difficulty of pronouncing certain words becomes a natural inclination.
“When I reached the age of ten, I acquired a technique that proved beneficial. I would swiftly replace challenging words with their synonyms while speaking, thereby enhancing my expression and occasionally camouflaging my stutter. This practice even developed into a fondness for reading dictionaries.”
This exercise endured for many years, demanding significant effort and emotional investment, but it ultimately contributed to John’s improvement in speech patterns and the overcoming of his stutter.
From a young age, the artist began to receive recognition and awards for his drawings and paintings. As his artistic endeavors became more intricate, he garnered greater social acceptance, companionship, and self-assurance.
At the age of seventeen, he enrolled in the National School of Fine Arts in Lima, Peru, to pursue an education in the arts. During his studies, he acquired a comprehensive understanding of various artistic techniques and mediums for painting and sculpture. In 1991, he specialized in oil painting at the Art Museum of Quinta Vergara in Vina del Mar, Chile. However, his interests eventually shifted towards the field of business administration, which presented more lucrative career opportunities. Consequently, he deferred his aspirations to become an artist to pursue these new endeavors.
LDS President Thomas S. Monson next to John Zamudio's Painting in LDS Church Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah USA.
At the age of nineteen, he embarked on a missionary journey to Northern Peru for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During this period, Peru experienced significant political unrest and terrorist-related incidents. Amidst these challenges, a remarkable event transpired.
As a missionary, I directly witnessed a catastrophic car bomb explosion in front of me. Miraculously, we escaped unscathed. After the explosion, I discovered that my stutter had vanished.
Upon completing my mission, I faced the daunting task of selecting a career path to support my future family. However, I encountered discouragement as many doubted my ability to provide as an artist or painter. My aspirations for artistic pursuits were being thwarted.
Eventually, I found myself drawn to the realm of Business Management, yet I felt a profound sense of emptiness within. I yearned for the tranquility and inner peace that I had once found in painting. I recognized that I had strayed from my true calling and was compelled to utilize my artistic talents, which I had diligently honed. Art had always resonated deeply within my soul.
Despite my desire to provide and be responsible, I also felt compelled to follow my dreams. I grappled with the uncertainty of the path ahead, unsure of how to reconcile these conflicting desires. In 2004, I summoned the courage to make a transformative change. I recognized that life is too fleeting to pursue a career that does not align with my true self. As I reflect on my life, I do not want to be an elderly man, reflecting on his deathbed and contemplating the missed opportunities. Why did I not persevere and pursue my artistic aspirations? I took a leap of faith and embraced my role as an artist.
LDS Primary & Reliefe Society Presidences next to John Zamudio's Painting in Temple's Square in Salt Lake City, Utah USA.
Leveraging his robust business acumen, he effectively marketed his artwork. By utilizing his expertise, he crafted a bespoke website and a comprehensive marketing strategy, which facilitated his international recognition.
This recognition not only broadened his audience but also provided him with the opportunity to exhibit his work in diverse countries, such as South America, Europe, Mexico, and the United States. Consequently, he established himself as a distinguished artist with a distinctive perspective and artistic style.
Peruvian Consul in Utah David Utrilla & John Zamudio, Salt Lake City - Utah.
John creates paintings of Jesus Christ set in diverse historical and contemporary cultures, featuring real individuals from around the globe. By incorporating these individuals into his paintings alongside Jesus Christ, he achieves a distinctive impact on both the viewers and the artwork.
Recently, John has embarked on a new venture as a public speaker, providing the opportunity to share the narratives behind his art and express his philosophical musings, life experiences, and the principles that guide his purposeful existence.
According to the artist, his hands, once a source of self-consciousness, now bring him immense joy and a profound sense of fulfillment.
John paints Jesus Christ because he believes that Jesus embodies love and unity among the diverse human cultures of the world, and he feels a strong connection to this belief.
In the past, public speaking was a source of embarrassment for many individuals. Today, I have the privilege of speaking in Spanish, French, and English to inspire people to pursue their aspirations and attain their goals.
He has been interviewed by numerous media outlets, including BYU Channel, Telemundo, Comcast, and KSL, among others.
