The Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa, is presenting "Cara and Diego Romero: Tales of Futures Past," an exhibition featuring the work of photographer Cara Romero (Chemehuevi) and potter Diego Romero (Cochiti). The show highlights the artistic dialogue between the married couple, whose individual practices merge popular culture, ancestral traditions, and the supernatural to explore Indigenous identity, historical narratives, environmental racism, and ancestral evolution. The exhibition is supported by the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation.
This exhibition matters because it centers Indigenous perspectives in contemporary art, using visionary storytelling to address the past, present, and future of Indigenous lifeways. By pairing two leading Indigenous artists who work across different media, the show underscores the complexity and evolutionary nature of Indigenous identity, challenging stereotypes and asserting agency through art. The project has garnered significant media attention, including coverage in Forbes and Art News, reflecting its cultural relevance.