When you examine an artist’s career, you notice there are particular years that definitively impact their trajectory. Two years into Marco Santini’s professional artistic journey, 2019 witnessed the artist’s meteoric rise to prominence. I sat down in his dual-duty home and studio to discuss this year’s highlights and what Santini looks forward to in the future.
Santini’s story begins in Northern New Jersey. Growing up, his parents were creative: Santini’s father is an architect and his mother a copy artist and choreographer. Together, they fostered their son’s relationship with art. Santini attended Brown University, where he studied linguistic anthropology, but the global religion class he took during Freshman year gave him a new perspective.
He recalled, “I was blown away not just by how many religions there were, but how simple it was. All religions share the common theme of trying to explain where we came from in the past, what we’re doing here in the present, and where we’re going in the future, in a way that ties in morality.”
After graduation, Santini worked in sports marketing and branding, though these careers left his creative impulse wanting. He decided to course-correct, becoming a mentor and tutor in the early 2010s. In 2017, he discovered a creative opportunity and decided to practice art full-time.
Santini began his art career by deconstructing street posters throughout New York City. He wanted to disassemble ads that he felt were negative or promoted consumerism as an aesthetic. He would strip these ads of their marketing and branding, leaving the beauty of decay behind alongside with his own artistic flair.
Santini began his art career by deconstructing street posters throughout New York City. He wanted to disassemble ads that he felt were negative or promoted consumerism as an aesthetic. He would strip these ads of their marketing and branding, leaving the beauty of decay behind alongside with his own artistic flair.
This development ushered him into the world of street art and wheatpasting. In early 2018, he created the distinct “One Love” logo in one night. Santini said he was “always fascinated by how we communicate, whether it’s through language, color, designs, body language, and emotions.” He spent time studying different styles of writing in various languages. He chose the word “love” and started writing it. Once the words were drawn, he organized them into a heart shape. He sent the design to friends who responded positively. Since then, the “One Love” design has been painted all over the world. Santini uses this logo to promote human nature and acceptance. He said, “there’s more that unites us than divides us.”
Santini said he was “always fascinated by how we communicate, whether it’s through language, color, designs, body language, and emotions.”
In December 2018, New Jersey’s 201 Magazine featured Santini’s work on the cover of their 15th Anniversary issue. The staff had seen his artwork on social media and felt that he was equipped to create a design showcasing their history. 201 provided Santini with 50 past issues totaling 7,500 pages to collage together. They included a three-page article about the artist’s life and work. The magazine was delivered to over 100,000 families in New Jersey. Santini knew that things were about to heat up. He posted an ad on Craigslist for an assistant and hired Dael Mundy, who became an important asset to his quickly growing career.
Perhaps the largest culmination of Santini’s growth came in May, when the artist hosted his first solo show titled “Unity in Diversity.” He thought that it was important to not only showcase his work, but to show the range of his personal art.
“With ‘Unity in Diversity’ I believe we are all different, we are all the same, and we are all beautiful,” Santini mused. It’s easily apparent in Santini’s work that he wants to represent all people and bring together everyone around him. “My first piece was called ‘All Welcome,’ with ripped up magazine pieces that I wheatpasted to a canvas and then covered in resin. The idea was, no matter your shape or size, we’re all different. Famous, not famous, young, old. I tried to showcase all of humanity on it, overlapping, with a giant welcome. I wanted that to be the first piece people saw when they walked in because it set the tone for the evening. I wanted people to feel accepted.”
While reflecting on this show, Santini said, “I think that my ‘One Love’ design has become the most prominent of my art creations and it was really important to show that I do many different things. I had over 100 pieces in my solo show. I even took off my bathroom door and brought it to my solo show which was crazy. How many people have actually shown a door at their first ever solo show?” Santini learned about the struggles of organizing an event and how the business side of art works. He was surprised that some pieces sold long after the show was taken down.
Santini’s work, bursting with idealism, transcends the traditional gallery’s white walls. The past year brought the artist to Turks and Caicos, Chicago, Montauk, Montreal, and Burning Man. This year, he finished his largest canvas to date: a 26 by 32 foot painting on a dance floor which took him 24 hours to complete. He created works for charity organizations, weddings, clothing stores, brands, and himself. One thing is very clear: Santini pours his heart and soul into his work.
When Santini works events, he asks participants for words about a specific topic. He believes audience participation makes his work more relatable, and enjoys that his audience is part of each piece forever. This philosophy and practice connects all of his events. Santini worked with the United Nations three times in 2019: visiting the General Assembly, working with the Red Cross, and designing the UN Women’s Equality t-shirt with 50 languages.
On International Women’s Day, he live-painted at SXSW in Austin for an event co-hosted by the UN and European Union. On that day, he painted words from the speeches and presentations for the “One Love” design. He said it was “incredible to work with this reputable organization and they connect with my message. They want to do great things in the world. They empower other people to be their best selves.” After Santini painted at the General Assembly, the UN decided to use his design as gifts and send the canvases to over 100 countries.
Partnering with charity organizations was an important facet of Santini’s year on the whole. I asked him who he spent the most time with this year, and he replied with ‘My Face.’ My Face is a non-profit organization that helps people with craniofacial conditions by funding medical, surgical, and dental care. The chairman of My Face saw Santini’s article in 201 Magazine and reached out. After meeting the chairman, the two developed a friendship, and Santini started going to their events. He asked attendees what My Face meant to them. He said, “these people went through tragedies, and to hear their words of positivity, appreciation, and love was one of the most heartwarming moments. My Face was my favorite charity to work with this year.”
Santini also partners with for-profit organizations like Bloomingdales. By the end of this December, Santini said he had done nearly ten events with the company. He painted their windows during New York City PRIDE. He spent time customizing clothes, and he did live-paintings in the stores. He remembered walking by the windows as a kid and feeling the draw towards the iconic institution. Santini explained that in his eyes, they are an industry leader and collaborating with them was an honor.
// Photo provided by artist
// Photo provided by artist
Santini also collaborated with other artists, including Andreas Verrios, @mrnycsubway, a professional photographer who does portrait shoots in the subway stations. Verrios and Santini worked together twice in 2019: first to take photos of Santini making art underground and then on another project to distill the heart of New York.
For this second project, Santini created art out of a subway map and asked 100 people what they thought exemplified New York. He told Verrios, “I got this idea but it might take the whole day. I want to go to all five boroughs and ask total strangers what they love about New York City.” Santini said it was anthropological and mind-blowing to hear what people admired about this city. He felt that New York City has a reputation of strong, hard, and rough, but it’s a different city for everyone. This project opened his eyes and he loved being able to break the barriers between people on the platform. His subjects mentioned the people, skyscrapers, bagels, the attitude, craziness, opportunity, pizza, and the energy of the city.
Through all of these experiences, it seems there is hardly any time for Santini to explore his own creativity. Miraculously, the artist feels he still managed to develop during this extremely busy year in his career. He said, “last year was my ‘One Love’ year. I felt like I had captured lightning in a bottle.” This year he challenged himself by practicing alternative methods to include love and positivity in his work.
“My goal as an artist is always to have creative outlets that allow for unlimited potential. I define success as being able to create what I want, when I want to. Due to different collaborations and clients, I’ve been able to afford to do that this year.”
“My goal as an artist is always to have creative outlets that allow for unlimited potential. I define success as being able to create what I want, when I want to. Due to different collaborations and clients, I’ve been able to afford to do that this year.” He didn’t want to give too much away about what next year holds. He hinted that he is recording his dreams and will be contemplating a wider breadth of emotions. He thinks that the next round of artwork could be more controversial.
// Photo by @highkquality
In 2019, Marco Santini achieved his personal goals by spreading the love and positivity that’s earned him fame. He looks forward to 2020 so he can work with more charities and host another solo show. When I inquired about what’s to come, Santini smiled, “I’m constantly battling how I should be putting love into my artwork. I’m constantly reminded of my purpose. I don’t want to be a one trick pony. I don’t want to be limited in any way – I want to branch out. I think next year holds some fun ideas.”
Caitlin Sowers grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Art Education. She was first exposed to street art when she saw Shepard Fairey’s solo show at the Andy Warhol Museum in 2009. A former high school teacher, she moved to New York in 2017 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Art Business and graduated from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in December 2018. Caitlin also loves fostering kittens, going to art openings, and spending time in Prospect Park.
