Vibrant Symbolism: The Illustrations of Tavo Santiago

Mexican illustrator Tavo Santiago crafts powerful images that blend folklore, fantasy and contemporary aesthetics. His work shines with bold color palettes, stylized figures and intricate compositions that reinterpret Mesoamerican symbolism through a modern lens.

Tavo’s characters often exist between worlds: humans adorned with animal features, deities in motion, or dreamlike hybrids that embody transformation and duality. Drawing from mythology and everyday life alike, his visual language merges the spiritual with the playful, balancing sacred motifs and street-art vibrancy.

Over the years, his distinctive style has caught the attention of major brands including José Cuervo, Spotify, Cadillac, EA Sports and Marvel, leading to collaborations that span editorial, branding, exhibition and advertising projects.

You can explore more of Tavo Santiago’s captivating work on his website.

More illustrations via Behance