Mosaic artist, painter, fashion tinkler and skater. Based in NYC with clients worldwide.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Artist Statement – Santiago Rodriguez
Born in Colombia and trained in the ancient Roman art of mosaic in Ravenna, Italy, Santiago Rodriguez has dedicated over 25 years to the meticulous craft of mosaic-making. His work merges tradition with contemporary urban culture, transforming used skateboards into striking mosaic portraits. Using hand-cut smalti glass sourced from the historic furnaces of Murano, Rodriguez breathes new life into these worn decks, preserving the history etched into their surfaces.
For Rodriguez, the scratches and scuffs on a skateboard are not imperfections; they are marks of dedication, persistence, and movement. Each board carries the story of skaters who pushed themselves through the streets of cities like New York, Lisbon, and Barcelona—places where skateboarding is not just a sport but a way of life. By repurposing these decks, he honors the skaters who have shaped them, celebrating the energy, struggle, and artistry inherent in their journey.
Rodriguez’s choice to use recycled skateboards is both a creative and philosophical decision. It reflects an appreciation for objects that have served a purpose, embodying the spirit of endurance and transformation. Just as a skater falls and rises again in pursuit of a perfect trick, Rodriguez’s mosaics reimagine the board’s purpose, preserving its past while giving it a new form of expression.
His work is a dialogue between history and modernity, between classical techniques and the raw, dynamic culture of skate- boarding. Each piece invites the viewer to recognize the beauty in resilience and the artistry in everyday struggle, ensuring that the boards—and the stories they carry—continue to be seen, valued, and remembered.