Santiago de Santiago never stops. With dozens of sculptures spread around the world, he keeps his work schedule full, always looking to the future
Self-taught, he has devoted his entire life to art. In his work, he expresses his relationship with life, his experiences and his philosophy. Santiago de Santiago (Navaescurial, Ávila, 1925) is a sculptor, poet and a tireless teacher who never stops creating, transmitting his ideas and looking ahead. His thoughts always focus on progress and future: “Training. Looking forward without seeing the end. Life is moving. So rich are the ‘foods’ that this road promises!” he says when asked about the evolution of his work from the beginning to the present. He just doesn’t stop for a second. With studios in Japan, France and Italy, and solo exhibitions in many more countries, Santiago de Santiago has not only evolved due to his travels. His experience and his personality are always reflected in his work: “Talking about your feelings. You look, you learn, you grow, the sum of those vibrations that shape the soul,” he explains.
With dozens and dozens of works to speak for him, he does not dare to indicate any as favorite, but he does highlight all made for the Spanish Royal Family (from HRH the Count of Barcelona to the Infanta Leonor). What work is he most proud of? We ask. “This. Carrying on. You learn, you progress and you only look to what you haven’t lived yet, that attracts you and teaches you to say ‘more,’” he answers always with his eyes fixed on the horizon, with words close to philosophy and poetry. Santiago de Santiago is so relentless that created the Order of the Torson de Santiago in order to reward those who undertake an important activity for the benefit of mankind. In recognition, they are awarded the ‘Torson of Santiago,’ name derived from the philosophy of Plato about the three souls. “The Torson -of great torso- is the enclosure of the second soul of Plato,” De Santiago explains.
Besides being involved with the recognition of different characters from culture, politics or business, he continues with a full schedule of work and teaches sculpture on all levels of study. He is passionate about his work full time. And he wants to continue to grow and spread his work and thoughts: “Let them wait for my book. My book is coming,” he states.
