The photos below were taken by photographer Henry Johnson to document NUEVO MEXICO PROFUNDO's historic santero art conservation project at San Pedro in Chamita.
The project entailed the conservation of several bultos (carved, painted statues) and the removal of overpainting from a Pedro Antonio Fresquís altar screen. Fresquís (1749-1831, also know as the Truchas Master) is likewise the creator of one of the bultos, and others were made by José Rafael Aragón and José Manuel Benavides.
The project was funded by grants and donations from the NEW MEXICO MULTI-CULTURAL FOUNDATION, SALLIE BINGHAM, and two ANONYMOUS DONORS, with additional support from The Morrow Family Fund, James Higdon, Lynda Sanchez, Diane Crane, Virginia Sanchez, Katherine Northrop, Marie-Noelle Meyer, Mary Broom, Margaret Collyer, Cheryl Hand Kaul, Michael Najdowski, Eric P. Hvolboll, Corinne Kratz, and Elizabeth Kidd, in honor of Elizabeth Boeckman.
The conservation work was done by master santeros Victor Goler and Felix Lopez and by mayordomo David Sanchez.
Another gallery of Chamita photos, by Frank Graziano, is here.
