Three Questions for Sylvia Santiago

What inspired your choice of medium for "The Known Universe"?

I'm primarily a writer of poetry and short fiction. Collage is another preferred outlet for expressing my ideas. Creating visual narratives is immersive in the same way that writing is and relaxing in a way that writing isn't.

Can you walk us through your creative process for the piece?

My collages begin with an image that strikes me for whatever reason. In this case, it was a vintage ad featuring a woman in the arms of her lover. I wanted to expand her intensity beyond the scope of a person into something infinite.

What is the significance of the work to you?

"The Known Universe" is a reminder for me to trust in possibility.

Sylvia Santiago is a writer and collage artist from western Canada. Her work has been published in HAD, Heavy Feather Review, Red Ogre Review, Streetcake Magazine, and elsewhere. Visit @sylvia_says2 on Instagram to see more of her collages.