Eric Romero’s art explores the relationship between myth, philosophy, and culture. Born and raised under the New Mexican sun, Romero draws inspiration from the Land of Enchantment. His allegorical figurative paintings echo the Old Masters in technique and methodology. Catholicism, mythology, and the New Mexican social landscape have influenced his oil paintings to tell a rich story of history, culture, and mysticism. Working in the medium of oil, he tirelessly and painstakingly pays close attention to detail within the paintings and often paints hidden symbology within the composition. As a self-taught artist, Romero creates paintings with a feeling of mannerism, combining bold color with metaphorical imagery.

The painting depicts the Dance of Los Comanchitos in Carnue, New Mexico, a ceremonial dance celebrating the heritage and history of the Genízaro people. Masked dancers adorn themselves with clothing rich in symbolism and deliver blessings as they pay homage to the land, religion, and people of New Mexico. 

Genízaros were an ethnic assemblage of individuals and communities of Native peoples of mixed origins, mostly Apache, Navajo, Ute, Paiute, Kiowa, Comanche, and Pawnee. Groups with common bonds of language, culture, and family were called naciones (nations), similar to the modern usage of the word “tribe.” Genízaros entered Spanish colonial society in the early eighteenth century as captives taken during frequent skirmishes with the numerous enemy "nations" that surrounded the upper Río Grande region (Brooks 2002). Some Pueblo groups such as the Hopi-Tewa of Abiquiú and others became Genízaro by displacement and relocation (Córdova 1979).

Of this painting, Romero writes:

In the intricate tapestry of history, our journey unfolds—a quest for truth illuminated by La Luz, the radiant mother guiding us through the multifaceted layers of identity, place, and home.

Under the expansive New Mexican sky, diverse origins converge, their stories woven into the interplay of light and shadow. Here, amidst the shifting shadows, our community's resilience and perseverance stand as steadfast beacons, weathering adversity with grace.

The sunlight filters through branches, grounding us in the roots of our heritage—both ancient and new—offering moments of solace and reflection. Amidst the vast desert expanse, we stand as testaments to a shared legacy of cultural resilience, each nuance of identity illuminated by the unyielding light.

Oppressor and oppressed, ancient and modern,  whispers through the branches, the enduring spirit of the Genízaro people echoes—a tireless quest for truth, an eternal pursuit of light within the rugged embrace of Nuevo Mexico's landscape. 

Yo Soy. Soy de allí, soy de aqui. Soy Genízaro.

ericromeroart.com