The youngest of three children in a Puerto Rican working class family, Frank Santiago Jr. was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on March 24, 1964. He grew up in the Red Hook projects with his brother, sister and a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Like many other kids living in the projects, Frank grew up faster and harder than most. But strong family ties and an even stronger personal drive helped Frank to stay in school where he studied architectural drafting and mechanical drawing at George Westingtonhouse High School.

Frank took on the name Rek and joined the Graffiti underworld at a time in his life when street credibility was a valuable commodity and Graffiti was the right of passage.

While struggling to overcome a misspent youth and the tragic death of his older brother, Rek continued to find solace in expressing himself through visual art. He took his Graffiti to the canvas and began to seek legal avenues for his murals.

Rek's art has grown as much as he has over the years, and it continues to evolve with each creative leap he takes. His drafting background has helped to give birth to his abstract works and is evident in his precise lettering and outlining. Rek's love for the spray paint medium is unmistakable as he explores spray tips, textures and technique. Rek also has a passion for vivid colors, a talent for blending and a keen eye for remarkable color contrasts and fades.

From the subways to the gallery, Rek Santiago's urban born style, imagination and talent is just beginning to make its indelible mark on the art world. Expect great strides from this artist!

I was fortunate enough to be a young, creative rebel in the 1980s when Graffiti Art exploded onto the urban scene. I was able to use this controversial art form to express myself as an urban born youngster, growing up in the Red Hook projects.

For me, Graffiti has always been more about precise graphics; crisp outlines; flawless fades and color blends than crime or vandalism. For me, when done legally, Graffiti Art is inspirational and revolutionary. It has helped to make me the man and artist that I am today.

As my body of work expands into Cubism and I explore color and form, spray paint and markers are still my medium.  The evolution of my work has been inspired by artists such as Basquiat, Eric Freeman, Ross Bleckner,Peter Haley, Andy Collins, Brain Alfred of the Mary Boone Gallery and of course Mark Rothko.

My work can be seen in local art galleries, my own private studio, Artsenario in Zurich Switzerland and has also been featured in the United Nations.  Currently my work can also be viewed at the Galerie Mark Hachem in New York.

Some people say they want Graffiti Art to be accepted as a traditional art form. I want Graffiti to be accepted for what it is,an outspoken, bold, non-traditional explosion of artistic skill and visual expression!

From the subways to the gallery®

 Rek Santiago