'HUNTERS OF THE SOUTH SEAS' 2012 (2012) Painting by Manuel Santiago

MANUEL SANTIAGO is a contemporary Spanish painter and draftsman, based in Brisbane, Australia. He works in oils, mixed media, charcoal and acrylics, and his work has been represented by Bonhams and other major art auctions. He is influenced by the patterns of life and culture in Spain and the world beyond.

His work is known for its vibrant colors, intricate compositions, and a sense of movement. Santiago often explores themes related to the universe, nature and human emotions. He believes that creativity must look inward and that "the ultimate reality is the spiritual". This introspective approach allows him to express himself fully without external influences, resulting in pieces that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Manuel Santiago was born in Malaga Spain in 1956. He has crossed the globe many times and as a traveling artist he has absorbed all patterns of life and cultures in the true sense. This has influenced his work so that we see flashes of different cultural aspects threaded through his canvases.

Subject matters and themes invoked in his work in the early eighties have evolved to present strong vibrant canvases which attract commissions from private and international collections - surrealism and the abstractions, with intense movements in the works.

He selects and uses to good effect the spatial impressions in the linear works of 2001 - the Universe works, the world beyond. There's a strong visual power in his work, serenity but also strength and purity. His work is known for his vibrant colors, intricate compositions and expressive brushwork. Santiago often explores themes related to chaos, destruction and transformation, which are evident in his notable paintings like "Invasion" (2024), "Apocalypse" (2021) "Congress of Darkness" (2021) and "Controlled Demolition FP" (2022)

Manuel Santiago has been represented by some of the most important Art Auction Houses in the world, since 2007, including Bonhams Los Angeles and Bonhams New York, in Contemporary Art.

Other major Art Auctions include Sydney and San Francisco.

Whether contemplating the cosmos or celebrating the beauty of our world, Manuel Santiago's art invites us to embark on a visual journey--one where vibrant colors and intricate forms intersect with the spiritual essence of creativity.

• Nationality: SPAIN
• Date of birth : unknown date
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary Spanish Artists