Rafael Santiago

Lives and works in New York, NY

Artist statement

My work explores themes of queerness, fantasy, sexuality and identity. I use a variety of methods, including appropriation and collage techniques with vintage printed queer erotica, where I cut up and recombine seductive imagery. Sexualized male bodies merge with floral cutout shapes, each shape playfully interacting with other bodies in a fantastical dreamscape. I draw on my appreciation for the aged colors in these prints and my desire for the erotic male form. In my drawings, I incorporate both existing and invented queer iconography, infusing these symbols with meaning derived from my relationship to queerness. My work embraces subversiveness, placing queer existence at the forefront. By doing so, I aim to provoke thought and foster a deeper understanding of the nuances of identity, encouraging viewers to engage with the complexities of queerness in a celebratory and transformative way.

Artwork