Romero, Diego – “Chongo Moai” Jar

9.5"w x 9.5"h

$ 6,200.00

Diego Romero was one of the potters around 1990 to break away from more classic styles of Pueblo pottery. He returned to a pre-contact style of Mimbres culture (1100’s in southwest New Mexico) and was inspired by the open bowl shape. This has been his “canvas” throughout most of his career.  However, he has also created a few vessels over time, which are also based on ancient shapes. This jar has a classic Chaco period form with the round body and elongated neck. The design here is derived from his Chongo character, who populates much of the iconography of his pottery.  Here, Chongo is out at night among giant Chongo heads, much like at Easter Island.  Here Chongo is standing among them with Coyote in the background.  Note the stars at night, and maybe even a UFO!?  The jar was on display in the Museum of Indian Art and Culture in Santa Fe as part of Deigo’s exhibition, “Diego v. the End of Art”.  They wrote of the jar:

“Inspired by the Maoi, the large monolithic figures of Easter Island, these Chongo moai stand dormant in the Southwestern landscape.  They, like Chongo, are wearing chongos, a type of traditional bun hairstyle.  Silently observing and perplexing onlookers, they await the signal to arise.

It is signed on the bottom, “Chongo Made Me, Chongo Painted Me”.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  The jar comes with a metal museum mount on which it sits.  The last photo is of the jar as exhibited in the MIAC exhibition.

This jar was on display at the Museum of Indian Arts and Crafts for their exhibit:  Diego vs the End of Art.