The Divine

Working across painting and sculpture, Marikit Santiago anchors her practice in references, imagery, and symbolism drawn from her Australian-Filipino ancestry, Catholicism, and the Western Art canon. Santiago’s emotionally charged, figurative work negotiates the line between the personal and the universal. Her paintings are narratively based and often feature portraits of herself and her family. Yet these intimate renderings simultaneously become metaphoric conduits for thinking through the nuance of the human condition.

Santiago said of this work in 2020:

'The Christian doctrine of original sin prompts me to examine the ideals and principles surrounding faith, creation stories, motherhood, cultural heritage and gender roles. These themes frequently inform my work, as my practice negotiates the tensions that exist within my multiple identities as a Filipina, an Australian, as a mother and as an artist.

As original sin is an inherited condition, it provokes the consideration of what is inherited by our children – our physical semblance, virtue, ethnicity, culture and perhaps, indeed, sin.

The Divine portrays my three children, who often collaborate with me in my creative processes; the pen and paint markings in this piece were made by Maella, aged 5; Santiago, aged 3; and Sarita, aged 1.'

Collaboration with Maella Santiago, Santi Mateo Santiago and Sarita Santiago.