Ramon Santiago

A lot of Rochesterians do backflips over local artist Ramon Santiago who died in 2001. His artwork is quite pricey and can be found adorning the walls of hip little bistros and in many homes. I stopped in Santiago Studio while in Rochester and was escorted by Ramon's mother through the galleries. Here are a few works that are emblematic of Santiago's style:























His stuff is not exactly my cup of tea, but I was intrigued with one section of the gallery. A number of Ramon's personal effects were set up in a corner: petrified paint brushes, color-splattered palettes, a battered stool, cigarettes, booze, and a photograph of Ramon with actor Robert Forster (a Rochesterian who is one of the main reasons to see Jackie Brown). Just by looking at those items rather than the artwork, I really felt the presence of the artist in that gallery.