Diego Romero was one of the potters around 1990 to break away from more classic shapes and styles of 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. This piece is entitled “St. Augustine Church”.  It is the church at Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico.  Mission San Agustin de Isleta is one of the two oldest surviving Spanish Mission churches in New Mexico.  The last image is a photo of the church.  The bowl is painted with a central panel and the image of the church.  Surrounding it are graphic designs.  The outside of the bowl is slipped red and fully polished.  It is signed on the rim, “Chongo Made Me, Chongo Painted Me”.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Diego is currently the subject of a major exhibition of his work at the Museum of Indian Art and Culture in Santa Fe, NM.  Click here to see more about the exhibit.