Joe Cajero, Jr. was raised in a very traditional setting in the village Jemez, in north-central New Mexico. As a teenager in the 80’s he participated in and experienced a rich ceremonial life, being exposed to ancient spiritual rituals and teachings. Joe continues to participate and remain closely connected to his village today.
In 1993, Joe graduated and received his AFA degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM. For the past 30-plus years, he has had an active and very successful career as a visual artist, working predominately in the fields of clay and bronze sculpture, painting and printing, as well as jewelry design.
Joe comes from a long line of artists and storytellers, and has taken cultural stories and spiritual understanding and infused them into all his sculptures, paintings and jewelry, and now his writing.
He immerses himself into his pueblo culture with its ancient and rich history of intricate story telling. Key information and values are passed from generation to generation, and these teachings continue to serve him in all his current projects.
National recognition for his art include:
- The Local Treasures Award from the Albuquerque Art Business Assoc. (2008)
- The Living Treasure Award from the Santa Fe, NM Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (2014)
Monumental sculpture commissions from:
- Mesa Verde National Park in Cortez, CO
- Southern Ute Tribe in Ignacio, CO
- Jicarilla Tribe in Dulce, NM
- Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe, NM
- Presbyterian Hospital in Santa Fe, NM
- Chaco Hotel in Albuquerque, NM
Although Towa’s Journey is his first manuscript, he has been writing stories about his sculptural creations for his clients for many years. Through the encouragement of his clients to engage the medium, he was compelled to write this work of magic realism set in the distant past of our people.
From decades as a visual artist, he has developed a wide client base and broad audience of interested followers in his career. He is also an articulate speaker about his work and enjoys great relationships with major local, regional, and national media.
You can find out more about Joe’s visual art career by visiting his website
Cajero Fine Art 