Mateo Romero (artist)

Mateo Romero was born on December 9, 1966. His father, Santiago Romero was a Southern Keresan Cochiti artist.[1] His mother is Nellie Guth, a European-American.[2] His father's mother, Teresita Chavez Romero, was a traditional ceramicist, known for her seated clay figurines and functional jars or ollas.[3] Mateo's Indian name is He-tse-tewa or "War Shield." [3]

Romero attended Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire and studied under Varujan Boghosian and Frank Moss.[1] He briefly attended the Institute of American Indian Arts. At the University Of New Mexico in Albuquerque, Romero earned his MFA Degree in printmaking.[1] At the School of American Research, he furthered his painting techniques as a Dubin Fellow in 2002. In 2008, he was chosen to be the SWAIA Indian Market poster artist.[1]

Mateo began painting narrative scenes providing social commentary on contemporary Pueblo life. Subject matter for his paintings falls into four categories: "Addictions," "Indian Gaming," "Bonnie and Clyde," and "Voices at Wounded Knee," according to writer Gregory Schaaf, PhD.[3] He moved towards mixed media and began working with historical photographs his "Dancers" series, which employs a technique he personally invented that incorporates asphalt into the surface.[3]

Today, he is not only a successful painter, but also a writer, curator, and educator.[3]

Romero lives in Pojoaque Pueblo with his wife, Melissa, and their three children, Rain, Povi, and Erik.[1] His brother, Diego Romero is also a successful artist.

Peabody Essex Museum

• Mateo Romero, Vision Project, by Jessica R. Metcalfe
• Peabody Essex Museum