Santiago López
Growing up between San Diego and San Miguel de Allende, I realized art had the power to bridge cultures, communities, and lived experiences. I use my illustrations to build connection, spark a shift, flip the script and turn difference into dialogue.
As a neurodiverse artist, my illustrations explore my ASD and Latinx identity while amplifying voices around social justice and shared humanity. My artwork has been exhibited at venues including OECD Headquarters Gallery in Paris, on Capitol Hill, the Kennedy Center, California Center for the Arts and at Nickelodeon. In 2023, I was selected as a Kennedy Center Emerging Young Artist. The next year I was chosen to represent the United States at an international art exhibition and forum during the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. These experiences have expanded my commitment to use art to craft inclusive worlds where every story belongs.
About my work
My art is storytelling. Through visual metaphors and symbolism, I search for hidden narratives and explore what connects people and our stories. Blending traditional and digital media, I focus on detail, texture, and layered imagery to evoke emotion and reflect diverse perspectives. Determined to hold onto the wonder that first sparked my imagination, I believe curiosity and creativity can open new ways of seeing. My work is both a personal reflection and an invitation to a more inclusive world.
PAST EXHIBITIONS
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington D.C. June 20-July 28, 2024
Organization for Economic Cooperation -OECD Headquarters Gallery Paris, France. September 1-8, 2024
Art Access Gallery Raleigh, North Carolina. August 9-September 21, 2024
Los Angeles City Hall Los Angeles, California. October 23, 2024
The Collective Lafayette, Colorado. November 6-January 5, 2025
Alhambra City Hall Gallery Alhambra, California. September 17, 2025
Explore resources I’ve created around disability, storytelling, and community centered design.
Santiago López Studio 