Curtis Santiago was born in 1979 to Trinidadian parents who emigrated to Alberta, Canada to work in the oil and gas industry. His home was white suburbia and his influences were consistently his older brothers. One the athlete, motivator, and biggest fan who encouraged and championed his stage performance in their kitchen as soon as he could sing. The other, an artist, an actor, a thinker who cultivated Curtis’ interest and love of art and music at a very early age. Here he was in the middle of pickup trucks and hockey, learning about Basquiat and black artistry all under the tutelage and unction of his brother.

His parents and family are ever present in his work and his pursuits. His quest to discover his own ancestry taking him to Portugal and learning about the Moors and the African influence in art. He spent time in residence in South Africa where he learned to bead with the Beaders’ Guild and experienced a beautiful interconnectedness with local families and art professionals alike. His nomadic existence started in his early 20s and his willingness to go and be present in new places has dramatically informed his work.