Meet Mateo Ramírez Rose | Indigenous Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mateo Ramírez Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mateo, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve worn a lot of hats, I’ve been a server, caregiver, gardener and now I’m going all into my art. Before I began to pursue my art I was in a very manipulative and controlling marriage. I was essentially expected to be a house spouse on top of working 78 hours a week as a caregiver for my mother in law at the time. This absolutely destroyed my mental health as this was happening congruent to the pandemic. After having a complete depressive episode I attempted suicide. Soon after my attempt I had to attend a DBT program at Cedar Springs and with that healing rediscovered my love for myself and creating art. So I left my marriage.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As an artist I mainly work in oils and watercolor. The subjects I paint range from abstracted realism to conceptual abstraction. These works are (mostly) a representation of my reconnecting experience with my indigenous ancestry. When I started out I didn’t have any particular vision for what my art could be (I still have no clue what the future has in store for my art), however as I worked and began painting more and learning about my practice as an artist I’ve also learned more about my ancestry.

This period of growth as it relates to my work was actually incredibly difficult. I had to confront my identity as a person of color as well as being two spirited, and it was incredibly painful to learn and take in all of the generation trauma of my family that ,until recently, was left ignored.

I need people to understand not only what I have gone through as an indigenous person of color but what so many others like me have to deal with as we try to unlearn the violent and harmful ideas colonialism has imparted on all of us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Garden of the Gods is my favorite place Colorado Springs has to offer. The stunning rock formations and Indigenous plants and animals that live there are beautiful in every way. I would start there going on a cool early summer morning.

Salsa latina is my favorite Mexican restaurant downtown. They’re a little hole in the wall ma’ & pop’ kinda shop located off Rio Grande and Tejon. The best food and the best people work there.

I would be crazy if I didn’t take my friends to see my favorite galleries in Colorado Springs Kreuser and G44. They always have amazing shows on view every month the way all the art is presented will consistently blow you away.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to recognize Karen Mosbacher and the members of Multae Manus Collective for helping push my growth as an artist. Specifically Karen’s guidance had been an incredible tool for me to strive for bigger things in life.

Website: Ramirezroseart.Squarespace.com

Instagram: MiitraArte13

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlightenedart13?_t=8eOfDsRMq1T&_r=1