Born in Colombia, Cárdenas eventually settled in the Netherlands, where he became a significant figure in the development of contemporary art. His early career was marked by an engagement with the aesthetics of pop art and the conceptual approaches of Nouveau réalisme, establishing him as a versatile artist across multiple disciplines.

His practice encompassed a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, photography, and object assemblages. He is particularly noted for his early adoption of video art, utilizing the medium to explore themes of identity and the human experience, which remained central to his work throughout his career.

Cárdenas continues to be recognized in contemporary institutional contexts, with his work included in major group exhibitions such as the 2026 presentation at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. These exhibitions highlight his historical contribution to the evolution of video and conceptual art in Europe.