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2024, “In This Place: American Dreams”
This artwork by Diego Romero intertwines Greek mythology and Native American art. From his early childhood Romero has been inspired by Greek and Roman mythology in books like The Iliad and The Odyssey. The artist’s wife Cara Romero, the depicted figure, is a photographer and member of the Chemehuevi Tribe (a branch of the Southern Paiute). She is represented as Wonder Woman, an Amazonian superhero. In Greek mythology, the Amazons are a race of warlike women with courage, pride, and riding skills. Cara reminds me of Mexican American actress Lynda Carter’s portrayal of Wonder Woman as an Amazon princess and a barbarian warrior who protects mankind. Romero’s Native American version of Wonder Woman nods to his wife and to all warrior women in Native cultures who are the givers, sacrifices, and protectors of life, home, and culture. His interpretation speaks to me because I come from a Native background as a Black Native American on my mother’s side.
—Unique Grady, Washburn University alumLabel
2022, Echoes of the Classical World
This artwork by Diego Romero intertwines with Greek mythology and classical influences. From his early childhood Romero has been inspired by the books of The Iliad and The Odyssey, Greek and Roman mythology, and Hector and Achilles’ battle beneath the gates of Troy. The artist’s wife Cara Romero, the depicted figure, is a rising photographer and member of the Chemehuevi Native American Tribe (brand of the Southern Paiute) in the Mojave Desert, CA. This Native American version of Wonder Woman gives hope to Cara, the artist’s wife, and a nod to all warrior women in Native American cultures that are the givers, sacrifices, and protectors of life, home, and culture. Lynda Carter, the Mexican American actress who originally portrayed Wonder Woman, depicted her as an Amazon princess and a barbarian warrior who protects mankind. The Amazons are a race of warlike women with the courage of pride and riding skills and are known for the Battle of the Athenians by King Theseus. I come from a Native American background as a Black-Native American on my mother’s side.
Text by Unique Grady, Washburn studentLabel
2022, Echoes of the Classical World
Cara is a lithograph created by Diego Romero, a Native American artist who has a keen interest in Greek history, Native American pottery, and comic books. Much of Romero’s artwork stems from his Native American roots, and he primarily works in ceramics. The inspiration for this artwork comes from his experience working with pottery and his fascination with Ancient Greek history. Cara combines Greek and Mimbres pottery art styles. The center of the artwork depicts the DC character Wonder Woman, who is drawn after Romero’s wife, Cara. Wonder Woman is also heavily connected to the Ancient Greek myth of the Amazons. The Amazons were considered to be a group of all-female warriors that lived on a secluded island. The outer rim’s lines include lightning bolts, symbolizing the Greek god Zeus. The exterior rim design also shares similarities with Mimbres pottery designs.
Text by Keeton Lee, Washburn studentLabel
2023, The Art of Gender (outdoor sign installation)
The artist depicts his wife, Chemehuevi photographer Cara Romero, in a strong, athletic pose inspired by superhero Wonder Woman. How do you think this work could expand our understanding of the ways feminine identity can or “should” be expressed?