Ramon Santiago (1943-2001)
Biography
Ramón Santiago, was born in Rochester, New York and embarked on his artistic journey in 1961 at Mount San Antonio College in California. He further honed his skills at the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1963 to 1965 before serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 to 1968. After service, Santiago commenced his professional career in mixed media portraiture, gaining recognition for his distinctive use of color and form.
Santiago’s oeuvre is characterized by its imaginative approach, with a particular focus on female portraiture, fantasy imagery, and clowns. His work, often noted for its humor and sexual undertones, gained him notoriety. Utilizing a diverse range of mediums, including pencil, pen, pastels, and oil paints, Santiago creates portraits that are both sensitive and dynamically original.
Santiago’s style, marked by a fusion of dramatic fantasy and elegant portrayals, reflects influences from notable artists such as Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Jules Pascin, and Amedeo Modigliani. His mixed media and oil paintings evoke a unique vision, blending elements of reality and dream to produce haunting and enigmatic imagery. Over the past three decades, Santiago has exhibited his work extensively in galleries and museums, both nationally and internationally, establishing himself as a significant figure in contemporary art.
Born: 1943
Died: 2001
Education: Mount San Antonio College in California, Rochester Institute of Technology
Exhibitions
Select Solo Exhibitions
August 1-31, 1988. Galerie Rienzo, New York City, NY
April 1-30, 1987. Avanti Polizzi Gallery, New York City, NY
January 1-31, 1986. DeVorzon Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
October 1-31, 1985. Russell Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
July 1-31, 1985. Galeria Manuela Vilches, Marbella, Spain
May 1-31, 1984. Stuart Gallery, New York City, NY
December 1-31, 1983. Zenith Gallery, Washington, DC
June 1-30, 1983. Avanti Galleries, Lambertville, NJ
September 1-30, 1982. Jonathan Poole Gallery, London, England
April 1-30, 1981. Novecento Gallery, Palermo, Italy
November 1-30, 1978. Zenith Gallery, Washington, DC
June 1-30, 1977. Galerie Allen, Cohen, Paris, France
October 1-31, 1976. Environment Gallery, New York City, NY
September 1-30, 1976. Gallery 696, Rochester, NY
July 1-31, 1975. Environment Gallery, New York City, NY
March 1-31, 1974. Environment Gallery, New York City, NY
May 1-31, 1973. Environment Gallery, New York City, NY
October 1-31, 1972. Environment Gallery, New York City, NY
February 1-28, 1971. Gallery 696, Rochester, NY
October 1-31, 1971. Environment Gallery, New York City, NY
September 1-30, 1969. Harriet Thomas Galleries, Rochester, NY
June 1-30, 1968. Newport Art Association, Newport, RI