About

A culture will be judged by its statues.

                       -French writer Andre Malraux

Throughout the ages, cultures have been defined by their artwork, whether it be music, paintings, architecture or sculpture. The Greek sculpture the Tyrannicides for instance, represented the free Greek state, while Michelangelo’s David symbolized the power and fortune of 15th century Florence.  In times of war works such as these have been either destroyed or stolen to further demoralize the besieged city and symbolize the emergence of new ideals. It is my belief, therefore, that modern day monuments are reflections of the communities in which they are created.  What or who we choose to remember in bronze or stone reveals to us, and generations to come, who we are or want to become.  More than paying our duty to the monument’s subject, such as fallen firefighters, policemen or civic leaders such as Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez, we impose a duty on ourselves. The very cost and effort of choosing a site, an artist, materials and ceremonies, proclaims that this person or persons matters to us, and with the monument we assume responsibility to continue the ideals for which the honored person worked during his or her life.

Both public and non-public art are methods of expression.  In non-public art an artist is free to use any means he/she sees fit to convey any message, including personal ideologies, and thereby establish his name in the art community.  In public art, however, we believe the artist has an ethical duty to express the views and ideals of the community.  An artist doing public art must concern himself with what the community that hires him wants to convey.  He then applies his individual skills and style to relay the message using an art form that is understood by all people, rich, poor, educated and uneducated, without hidden agendas, statements or controversies.  If it is “public art” it should be understood and appreciated by all.

Over the past 15 years our dedication to creating public works of art has given us the unique opportunity of working with an array of communities, committees, artists and architects. The projects have ranged from designing, fabricating and installing mosaics for cathedrals and temples, to immortalizing people in bronze and marble.  Here at Romo Studios we are dedicated to creating public works of art which weave the ideals of a community with our artistic visions.  This dedication combined with our experience in sculpture, will ensure that we will provide a work of art worthy, both aesthetically and functionally, of any public commission.

Adan Romo

After studying under his father Jesus Romo from the age of 10, Adan attended the University of California at Berkeley where he received a BA in Art History with a focus on Renaissance sculpture.  In 2001 Adan was named a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, giving him the opportunity to study in Italy under Mirio Viviani, marble artisan for Henry Moore, Mitoraj and Botero, and to attend the Academy of Art in Rome.  Needless to say it proved to be a transformative year and upon his return was accepted to the San Francisco Art Institute where he received an MFA in Sculpture and Installation Art.  From an early age Adan has received many major national commissions, ranging from artwork for civic buildings and religious institutions, to designing memorials for veterans. In addition to creating public works of art,  Adan is also the Chair of the Visual Arts at St. Francis High School where he teaches sculpture, art history and digital film.

Jesus Romo

Battalion Chief Jesus Romo has been dedicate to his artistic pursuits of sculpting and painting for most of his life.  During his long career, Romo has received many major national and international commissions, ranging from artwork for civic buildings and religious institutions, to designing memorials for veterans and public safety officers.  Of his many public art commissions, the most acclaimed is the California Firefighter’s Memorial located on the Capital Mall in Sacramento.  Romo’s stirring tribute depicts a grief stricken firefighter struggling to remove his lifeless colleague from the flames.  Painstakingly researched and crafted with love, Romo’s sculpture captures the unique bond between these “band of brothers.”  The most recent commission for the Palm Desert Veteran’s Memorial commemorates American Veteran’s of all branches of service and of all wars.  Both these memorials are permanent tributes to the spirit, courage and dedication of these everyday heroes.  As a firefighter and veteran, Romo is able to understand and capture the actions and emotions of public safety personnel and veterans in the performance of their duties.