Alvaro Santiago
Mexico
(1953)
Álvaro Santiago Díaz is a multifaceted and prolific artist who has enriched the Mexican artistic landscape with his original work, refined technique, and deep sensitivity. His legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers around the world.
He was born on January 30, 1953, in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. He is the son of migrant farmers from Guadalupe Hidalgo, a town near the city of Oaxaca. Since his childhood, he has been surrounded by the vibrant artistic and cultural atmosphere of this magical town, which undoubtedly sparked an early passion for the visual arts in him.
He entered the School of Fine Arts at the Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca in 1966, where he trained as a painter and printmaker. During his time at the school, he had the opportunity to study with renowned artists such as Rodolfo Nieto and Francisco Toledo, who deeply influenced his artistic development. Some years later, in 1975, he entered the National School of Plastic Arts La Esmeralda, in Mexico City, although he did not complete his studies there. During these years, he began to explore various artistic techniques in addition to painting, printmaking, and drawing, including ceramics, sculpture, and objet d'art.
His work is characterized by constant experimentation and the search for new forms of expression, using a wide range of materials and technical resources. He has perfected a style that recalls the language used in indigenous codices and fantasy. Throughout his artistic career, Álvaro Santiago has addressed a wide range of themes in his work. However, some of the recurring themes in his work include the human figure, nature, Mexican popular culture, memory, and introspection.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Álvaro Santiago's work is his foray into Fantastic Realism. He is inspired by the artist Giorgio de Chirico, and his works often feature surreal and dreamlike elements, inviting the viewer to reflect on reality in a different way. He often uses phrases from books as titles for his paintings and finds inspiration in women and in the advanced stages of female life, such as motherhood.
Álvaro Santiago has received numerous awards for his artistic career, including the National Prize for Plastic Arts in 1993 and the Monterrey Sculpture Biennial Prize in 2007. His work has been exhibited in important museums and galleries in Mexico and abroad and has been praised by critics for its originality, refined technique, and deep sensitivity.
Today, Álvaro Santiago continues to be active in the art world. He continues to create new work and exhibit in galleries and museums. Additionally, he dedicates part of his time to teaching, sharing his knowledge and experience with the new generations of artists.