Nelson Santiago

Visual Art – New York - NYC

Nelson Host Santiago, a New York City native deeply rooted in his Puerto Rican heritage, was born in Spanish Harlem and raised in the Bronx. Nelson discerned his innate artistic talent at the tender age of four when one of his uncles introduced him to a series of comic books. It was love at first sight. Influenced by colorful images depicting various superheroes, he began drawing, sketching and painting, producing his earliest works without any formal training. Not long afterward, Nelson became captivated by urban hip hop culture and immersed himself into the world of graffiti art. It was at this time that “Host One” emerged unto the cityscape. Throughout the following decade Nelson, aka Host One, actively engaged in Wild Style pieces as well as street bombing on a myriad of metropolitan “canvases”. After a fifteen year hiatus, during which time he focused solely on raising his children, Nelson reappeared on the art scene. Strongly encouraged by his dear friend Marthalicia Matarrita, an exceptionally talented artist in her own right, he embraced Live Art Performance as a new form of collective artistic expression. Nelson has since graced many a venue and participated in a variety of gallery shows. He is currently active in live painting events for The Melting Pot at El Fogon in the Bronx, El Barrio Pinta at Camaradas in Spanish Harlem and Collage at Diva Lounge in Soho, among others. Nelson is also a featured artist in RAW Artists.