Jewelry Boxes Encase Curtis Talwst Santiago’s Elaborately Constructed Narratives of Nostalgia and Identity



“The Apprentice, the fish, the cat, the crow, and the oranges” (2018), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 5.7 x 7.6 x 6.4 centimeters. All photographs © Curtis Talwst Santiago, shared with permission

Inside the confines of a tiny jewellery field, Canadian-Trinidadian artist Curtis Talwst Santiago (beforehand) nestles miniature scenes imbued with in-depth narratives of dwelling and intimacy, diasporic identification, and reminiscence. The elaborately constructed dioramas are a part of Santiago’s ongoing Infinity Sequence, which he started in 2008 and has since expanded to incorporate dozens of items replete with lush foliage, architectural options, and minuscule figures preserved in time.

In recent times, the artist has referenced his childhood and household life within the mixed-media works, together with within the “Soca within the Suburbs” assortment that includes replicas of his mother and father’ basement full with thick shag carpeting and a distinctly ’70s aesthetic. These environments, Santiago explains in a statement, replicate on the need of personal gatherings in 2020 and the significance of sharing histories throughout generations:

This theme of ‘Soca within the Suburbs’ emerged throughout Covid with the closure of golf equipment within the up to date sense, dancing at dwelling, and quarantine discos at dwelling began popping up, and I began pondering of the members of the family I couldn’t see, and the events from my reminiscence… I’m additionally occupied with what I need to go ahead to my son when images fail. I would like him to have an archive of his household historical past, of his cultural heritage. I would like him to know the place his household got here from, not simply historic ancestors however his grandparents, and see the clothes they wore, and people polaroids that quite a lot of Caribbean individuals have from their rumpus room grownup actions.

A few of Santiago’s works are on view as a part of the Atlantic World Art Fair by Could 5. You’ll be able to observe his observe that spans portray, sculpture, and drawing and see extra of his course of on Instagram.

“Artist as Knight (self-portrait)” (2018), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 5.7 x 5.1 x 6.4 centimeters

“Occasion Can’t Completed” (2020), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 9 x 8 x 8 centimeters

Element of “Occasion Can’t Completed” (2020), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 9 x 8 x 8 centimeters

“Olokun in Fancy Costume” (2018), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 5.7 x 5.7 x 6.4 centimeters

“Visions of Touba 1” (2021), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 5 x 10 x 5 centimeters

“Fashionable Nubian having fun with Historical Dogon expertise” (2021), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 7.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 centimeters

“Soca within the Suburbs” (2021), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 7.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 centimeters

Element of “Soca within the Suburbs” (2021), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 7.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 centimeters

“March of the Jab Jabs” (2021), mixed-media diorama in a reclaimed jewellery field, 5.1 x 5.7 x 6.3 centimeters

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