Curtis Talwst Santiago

Curtis Talwst Santiago is a multimedia artist of Trinidadian origin whose work is centered on the diasporic experience, transculturalism, and memory. Key to Santiago’s oeuvre is the idea of entanglements shaping the consciousness of the postcolonial condition. A singer, performer and musician, he reconnects with music as part of an identity that is transmitted from one generation to the next. Santiago is best known for his miniature dioramas, which recreate personal stories, shed light on underrepresented histories, or serve as creative retellings of violent-catastrophic events that are inherent to the struggle of the black diaspora. Yet, an equivalence can be found between Santiago’s dioramas and his canvases in that both portray interpersonal relationships. Curtis Talwst Santiago was the recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation Mid-Career Award for Excellence in Visual Arts in 2024 and has a show coming up at the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), Costa Mesa, CA in 2026. He currently lives in Munich, Germany.