Featured Article - July 2009

Slide Show: See exclusive images of the Romero Family from photographer Karen Kuehn

Creation Story (Excerpt)

The children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of groundbreaking artisans Emilio and Senaida Romero revere and re-interpret traditional Spanish Colonial Art. With Santa Fe's Spanish Market gearing up this month, New Mexico Magazine takes you inside the studios of this influential and innovative family. By Michele Jacquez-Ortiz

This is a story of the two marriages of Emilio and Senaida Romero. Wed in 1930, the Santa Fe couple became the parents of seven children. As artists, their mutual creations were the marriage of two Spanish folk-art forms: tinwork and colcha embroidery. By encasing Senaida’s colcha work in Emilio’s glass-and-tin compositions, the Romeros created a signature style still seen today in crosses, mirrors, and picture frames. Though both of them have passed away in the last decade, their influence lingers both in the art world at large (they were named National Endowment of the Arts Heritage fellows in 1987) and their family in particular.

“My dad started doing traditional tinwork in the mid-1950s, and took it on full-time when he retired,” says daughter Marie Romero Cash, herself a folk artist, santera (saint maker), and perhaps the best-known artist of the Romero clan. “At first, he did repairs on antique tinwork from local galleries and museums.

Then they asked him to produce replicas of the older tin pieces that they could sell at the museum shops.”
Historians trace the art of tinwork in New Mexico to the 18th century, particularly in the form of tin boxes and crosses that were used in churches. The opening of the Santa Fe Trail in 1821 generated an influx of goods stored in large tin containers. Because resources were scarce in New Mexico, artisans repurposed these early tins, crafting them into utilitarian and decorative items. Once called “poor man’s silver,” tin provided an accessible material for producing beautiful objects—chandeliers, mirrors, and sconces. Simple punched tinwork can be done with a hammer, a nail, and some basic tools. Elaborate tinwork, however, requires a strong understanding of math and metallurgy. When Emilio began focusing on his tinwork, his previous career as a sheet-metal worker served him well. He even adapted his sheet-metal tools for tinwork.

Though Senaida’s grandfather had been a tinsmith, she learned the craft from her husband. She also sketched all of her colcha patterns, and embroidered her own original designs. In Spanish, colcha means “coverlet” or “bedspread.” In New Mexico, however, the term refers to an embroidery stitch or a textile decorated with that stitch. Colcha is characterized by its use of bold colors, and is often done in coarse yarn or thread on a white background. Historical records suggest that colcha was used to adorn churches in New Mexico as early as the 18th century. One theory is that the technique evolved as early Spanish Colonial settlers aimed to imitate textiles imported from the Orient or East India.

Senaida and Emilio were devout Catholics, and had an altar in their home on West Houghton Street, in Santa Fe’s South Capitol neighborhood. They used the altar for daily prayer, rosaries, and novenas, and required all of their children to regularly attend Mass. Not surprisingly, many of their artworks were of a religious nature. Their seven children—Anita Jones, Emilio E. Jr., Jimmy, Robert (deceased), Rosalie Sacoman, Marie Romero Cash, and Ricardo inherited a talent for art, and most seriously pursued it later in life.

To read more about the Romero family, pick up the print edition on newsstands now!

IF YOU GO:
More than 300 New Mexico artists are expected to exhibit in Traditional Spanish Market and Contemporary Hispanic Market, held simultaneously on the Santa Fe Plaza July 25–26. Sponsored by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society, artforms for the traditional market include santos, hide paintings, staw appliqué, weaving, furniture, colcha, tinwork, ironwork, precious metals, pottery, bonework, ramilletes, and basketry. The Society enforces rigid standards to ensure quality and authenticity. By contrast, Contemporary Hispanic Market, sponsored by El Museo Cultural, strives to showcase the vibrant, creative work of today’s Hispanic artists without boundaries regarding content or media. For info: (505) 982-2226, www.spanishmarket.org

For Folk-Art Fans: Aficionados of New Mexico’s Spanish folk art may also appreciate the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, held on Museum Hill July 11–12. This year, the event welcomes 147 artists from 45 countries. For info: (505) 476-1197, www.folkartmarket.org

[back to the top]