Mateo Romero (artist)

Mateo Romero
Born	December 9, 1966(1966-12-09) Berkeley, California
Nationality	Cochiti Pueblo
Field	printmaking, painting
Training	MFA University of New Mexico, BFA Dartmouth College, Institute of American Indian Arts, Academy of Art University
Movement	Pueblo art
Influenced by	Pueblo culture, Abstract Expressionism

Mateo Romero (born 1966) is a Native American painter. He was born in Berkeley, California, and is a member of the Cochiti Pueblo.

Background

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]

Art career

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

Personal

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.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Mateo Romero: 2008 Indian Market Poster Artist." Towa Artists (retrieved 17 Jan 09)
2. ^ Clark, Garth. Free Spirit: The New Native American Potter. Hertogenbosch, Netherlands: Stedelijik Museum's, 2006: 102-123.
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} Schaaf, Gregory. "Four Painters." Native Peoples Magazine. 2 Jan 2005 (retrieved 17 Jan 09)

External links

• Mateo Romero, Vision Project, by Jessica R. Metcalfe

Persondata
Name	Romero, Mateo
Alternative names
Short description	Cochiti Pueblo painter from California and New Mexico
Date of birth	December 9, 1966
Place of birth	Berkeley, California
Date of death
Place of death