NELSON

HOST

SANTIAGO

Artist + Painter + Graffiti + Muralist


BIO

Nelson Host Santiago, a New York City native, deeply rooted in his Puerto Rican heritage, was born in Spanish Harlem and raised in the Bronx, now a Queens resident.

 

Nelson discerned his innate artistic talent at the tender age of four when one of his uncles introduced him to a series of comic books. It was love at first sight! Influenced by colorful images depicting various superheroes, he began drawing, sketching, and painting, producing his earliest works without any formal training. Shortly thereafter, Nelson became captivated by urban hip-hop culture and immersed himself in the world of graffiti. It was at this time that “Host One” emerged unto the cityscape. Throughout the following decade, Nelson, aka Host One, actively engaged in Wild Style pieces as well as a street bombing on a myriad of metropolitan “canvases”.

 

After a lengthy hiatus, during which time he focused solely on his family, Nelson reappeared on the art scene. He embraced Live Art Performance as a new form of collective artistic expression. Nelson has since graced many a venue. Participated in a variety of gallery shows and live painting events in New York City, New Jersey, Boston, Florida, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, Nelson is also an active member of Escape Artist Collective and PRIDA.

 

In addition to his artistic engagements, Nelson revels in the process of encouraging art enthusiasts; he provides tools and demonstrates techniques thereby empowering them to explore diverse creative outlets and uncover their own inherent capabilities. In light of his passion and willingness to share his artistic skills, Nelson has been invited as a guest artist by Montefiore Medical Hospital in the Bronx to lead an art therapy workshop for young cancer patients. His most recent work has been with the Artists Creative Theater, teaching art classes to youth in Brooklyn.

 

Nelson welcomes each and every opportunity to be an integral part of the effort to serve the community. Nelson's artwork focuses on social-economic, political, and domestic violence within marginalized communities and the island of Puerto Rico. 

ARTIST RESUME


  • Grants & Awards

    2023 - Circle Foundation for the Arts

    2022 - National Art League

    2015 - Artist for Creative Theater, Inc.

    2012 - Hip Hop Spirituality & Empowerment

  • Solo Shows

    2025 - La Fonda Community Art Project

    2025 - Times Square Artistic Tribe (Feb)

    2025 - Times Square Artistic Tribe 

    2024 - NYC City Hall 

    2024 - Everybody Yoga Gallery

    2024 - NYPL Gallery

    2023 - NYC City Hall

    2023 - Moonstar Gallery

    2023 - NYPL Bronx Gallery

    2019 - El Museo De Los Sures Gallery

  • Group Shows

    2025 -  Raises Pintadas Art Event 

    2025 -  NYC It Girl - It Walk Art

    2025 -  Aerosol Euphoria Graff Event 

    2025 -  Percep-cion Art Event 

    2025 -  Be You Fest Art Event 

    2025 - Who is your hero? - Dynamic Arts Gallery

    2025 - A World of Color - D.Velez Art Gallery

    2025 - An Overwhelming Minority

    2025 - Cannavita Gallery Art Exhibit

    2025 - Sprung From La Tierra

    2024 - Cannavita Gallery Night

    2024 - Comite Noviembre

    2024 - The World's Borough Exhibition

    2024 - Brews & Boos

    2024 - Roots & Reflections

    2024 - Basement Art Sessions

    2024 - BxArt Factory Block Party Art Event

    2024 - This Ability Art Showcase

    2024 - Nuyoricans - The Muse Gallery

    2024 - Mi Patria De Aqui, De Alla 

    2024 - Power 4 Puerto Rico 

    2024 - Puerto Rican Parade NYC

    2024 - The Loisaida Festival 

    2024 - NYC Underground

    2024 - Brevo Theatre Art event 

    2024 - Femme Fatale Art Show 

    2024 - NYC Art League

    2024 - Coquito Con Caban ( Tiffany Caban) 

    2023 - Puerto Rican Parade- Puerto Rican Flags up float  

  • Publications

    2025 -  Bleu Claf 

    2024 - Bold Journey

    2024 - Artist Closeup

    2024 - Canvas Rebel

    2023 - Buffalo Latino Village

    2017 - The Artist Catalogue

    2016 - The Pillbox Art Blog

    2016 - Focus Art Mag

    2015 - The Bronx Press

    2014 - La Respuesta Magazine

  • Interviews

VIDEO INTERVIEWS