‘Cara Romero: The Gathering’ is scheduled to open Jan. 13, 2024 at the Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology at Ghost Ranch. Courtesy/Ghost Ranch
Ghost Ranch News:
ABIQIUI – The Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology at Ghost Ranch announces the opening of “Cara Romero: The Gathering”, an extraordinary exhibition by renowned Chemehuevi fine art photographer, Cara Romero. The exhibition is scheduled to open on Jan. 13, 2024, and will run through December 2024.
This groundbreaking show originates from an unusual request to Romero, a Santa Fe-based artist celebrated for her portrayal of contemporary Indigenous life. A collector approached her to participate in a commission interpreting the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, an idea initially at odds with Romero’s artistic vision. However, Romero reimagined this concept into a powerful portrayal of four Native women heralding a world reborn.
Collaborating with arts professional Joanne Lefrak, who had transitioned into her new role as Director of Experience and Social Impact at Ghost Ranch, the project found its perfect setting. This collaboration would breathe life into Romero’s vision at the world-famous Ghost Ranch, a place steeped in history, natural beauty, and spiritual resonance.
In this ambitious project, Romero brought together a diverse group of Native women – Trina Jae Reid (Diné), Juanita Toledo (Walatowa, the Pueblo of Jemez), Keri Ataumbi (Kiowa), and Sonwai LaRance (Hopi, Tewa, Navajo, Assiniboine) – each symbolizing a facet of healing and rejuvenation. The artists were trained by experienced wrangler Bri Cimino, culminating in a dramatic final shoot overseen by a skilled production crew.
“The Gathering” is a visual feast representing the colors of the medicine wheel – black, red, yellow, and white. Each woman is depicted with an object symbolizing healing forces for the earth: blue corn, a water vessel, an eagle feather, bison medicine, and a drum. This narrative contrasts the traditional apocalyptic vision, instead offering a message of hope, rebirth, and humanity’s responsibility towards the planet’s health.
In a serendipitous event echoing the themes of rebirth and new beginnings, the female horse involved in the shoot gave birth to a foal shortly after the project’s completion, a perfect metaphor for the exhibition’s essence.
“Cara Romero: The Gathering” promises to be an impactful experience for visitors, inviting them to engage with themes of healing, rebirth, and the profound connection between humanity and the earth.
Join us at the Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology at Ghost Ranch to witness this breathtaking exhibition that challenges, inspires, and redefines the narrative of the end of days into a vision of renewal and hope.
Exhibition Details:
- Opening Date: January 13, 2024, 4-7 pm
- Closing Date: December 2024
- Location: Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico
- For More Information: Joanne Lefrak, joannel@ghostranch.org, Director of Experience and Social Impact, Ghost Ranch
About Cara Romero
Cara Romero, a Chemehuevi photographer based in Santa Fe, is known for her innovative approach to visual storytelling, focusing on contemporary Indigenous life. Her work has been celebrated for its depth, power, and poignant commentary on social and environmental issues.
About Ghost Ranch
Ghost Ranch, a place of immense natural beauty and rich history, offers a unique backdrop for artistic and spiritual exploration. Known for its connection to Georgia O’Keeffe, its breathtaking landscapes continue to inspire artists and visitors from around the world.