Cara Romero: Panûpünüwügai (Living Light)

Cara Romero: Panûpünüwügai (Living Light) explores the narrative artistic practice of Chemehuevi photographer Cara Romero. A retrospective of her work, the artist’s first monograph thematically surveys Romero’s complex and layered images, which celebrate the multiplicity, beauty, and resilience of Native American and Indigenous experiences. 

One of today’s most renowned photographers, Romero brilliantly challenges dominant narratives of Indigenous decline and erasure, disrupting preconceived notions about what it means to be a Native American. Crafting sophisticated images that simultaneously acknowledge the injustices of colonialism while centering the humanity and vitality of her Indigenous collaborators, Romero’s works invite audiences to engage in transformative dialogues. The generosity that characterizes her work provides an opportunity for any person to ponder the humanity of her subjects. Personal, handwritten notes and drawings by the artist reveal process and concept development, helping readers connect with her creativity and studio practice.

Romero’s first monograph, this book will accompany her first solo exhibition of the same name, on view at the Hood Museum at Dartmouth College in 2025 and traveling to additional venues.