John Kennedy and Caroline Bessette NY daily news cover, 2016

Manuel Santelices   Emerging artists

This artwork captures a monochromatic newspaper headline, with an intriguing blend of illustration and text. The focal point is a black-and-white depiction of a distinguished couple, rendered in a style reminiscent of classic newsprint. The expression on their faces hints at a narrative of mystery and intrigue. Dominating the piece is the bold, confrontational word "LOST," which sits prominently and evokes a sense of urgency and drama. Above, the headline "DAILY NEWS" anchors the piece, suggesting authenticity and a vintage journalistic flair. The unexpected juxtaposition of traditional newspaper elements with artistic interpretation makes this piece uniquely compelling. Its thought-provoking content and minimalist color palette invite viewers to reflect on themes of identity, public perception, and the transient nature of news. This artwork stands out for its ability to transform a familiar format into a canvas for storytelling and abstraction.

Movies, TV and magazines are constant source of inspiration. Fame, as fleckring and shallow it can be sometimes, is very intriguing to him.

The worlds of fashion, society and pop culture are captured in the illustrations, paintings and watercolors that the artist creates.  In some ways they are the same characters and events that Manuel Santelices covered in the past as a journalist in New York.

From Art, Culture & Society series
Gouache and pencil on archival paper
unframed