Artist Bio

Leequette “Lala” Santiago, is an American Canadian visual artist residing in Durham, Ontario. Her work explores her southern identity, spirituality and familial dynamics through a mixture of traditional mediums and textiles. 

Lala is a self-taught artist with a background in Pediatric Health Administration, who is inspired by artists like Kehinde Wiley, Judy Bowman, and Frida Kahlo. She uses her craft as a means of storytelling and personal reclamation, especially following her postpartum identity loss. Her process consists of meticulously weaving together mediums, playing with compositions and fiddling with light until she finds something that illuminates.

Recently, she has been experimenting with patterned fabrics in an effort to reduce her carbon footprint. She has received the Emerging Artist Award (2021), The Robert McLaughlin Gallery Award(2023) and The Robert McLaughlin Award Gallery (2024). Her work has been featured by Pampers, QuickBooks Canada, and in public art across Ontario. She is focused on expanding her exhibition and public art practice.