Nicholas Herrera is an American folk artist, also known as El Rito Santero.
Background
He was born in El Rito, New Mexico, and his New Mexican roots helped to shape him as an artist who "follows the ever-expanding folk tradition of the Northern New Mexico santero." His art is known to provoke strong emotions, as it is satirical, religious and sometimes sad.
Career
Life and Herrera"s work takes the form of statuettes, sculptures inspired by modern issues, lithographs and plaster images. Much of his inspiration comes from a serious car accident that put Herrera into a coma, during which he claims he saw a figure of death. As a result, his spiritual iconic style was born.
His work is in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.He is represented by EVOKE Contemporary in Santa Fe, New Mexico.