Curtis Talwst Santiago

Curtis Talwst Santiago is an artist and musician. His artistic portfolio encompasses diverse creations, including paintings, large-scale installations, sculptures, and miniature dioramas that vividly capture nostalgic moments from his upbringing in Caribbean-Canadian culture. Among the recurring motifs in his work are lively dances, vibrant party scenes, and subtle allusions to his musical career, often intricately woven with references to art history.

Biography of Curtis Talwst Santiago

Curtis Talwst Santiago was born in 1979 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Currently, he lives and continues to create in Munich, Germany.

During the late 1990s, he was a member of the soul-oriented band "the Hi-Phoniqs" in Edmonton. However, in 2002, he departed from both the city and the band and relocated to Vancouver to pursue a solo career, also taking on the role of a club MC.

In 2003, his talent was recognized when he received the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award at NewMusicWest. Additionally, he established the musical group known as Vendetta Republic. In early 2007, he commenced a collaboration with guitarist Mikey Schlosser. Together, they shifted their production base to Toronto in 2008.

Santiago's mixtape, titled "Have Mercy," was officially released in April 2009.

From 2007 to 2010, the artist studied as an apprentice of Aboriginal artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun in Vancouver.

The artist's work has been showcased at several prestigious events and locations. In 2019, they were part of the inaugural Toronto Biennial of Art in Toronto, Canada. Prior to that, their work was featured in the SITE Santa Fe SITELines.2018 Biennial, Casa Tomada, held in Santa Fe, NM. Santiago's artistry also graced the 2018 Biennale de Dakar in Dakar, Senegal.

Notably, in September 2021, they served as an Artist in Residence at Kehinde Wiley's Black Rock Senegal. In 2022, Santiago was a visiting professor and Artist in Residence at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Currently, he actively contributes as a board member on the Board of Directors for the Drawing Center in New York.