Nicholas Herrera: El Rito Santero

Harwood Museum of Art is pleased to announce its exhibition Nicholas Herrera: El Rito Santero, a glimpse into the life and works of master santero Nicholas Herrera. Born and raised in the village of El Rito, New Mexico, Herrera’s art is rooted in the spiritual traditions and artistic practices of his Northern New Mexican mestizo (Spanish, Mexican, Native American) heritage. 

As a modern santero, Herrera creates bultos, retablos, and large-scale mixed media works, many of which detail rich and often challenging chapters in his storied life. Through varied mediums, this exhibition surveys Herrera’s personal identity, family history, relationship to place, and political ideology. 

Nicholas Herrera, Altar Dedicado a Mi Hermano, hand carved wood with natural pigments, 129 x 62 x 13.25 in. Image courtesy of Evoke Contemporary.