The Caves of Ra Paulette

In the sandstone mountains just north of Santa Fe, a man named Ra Paulette has been carving large, cathedral-like caves alone with his dog. These artistic, beautiful caves have been relatively unheard of until recent years, when an Oscar nominated documentary called “Cavedigger” brought Paulette’s work to the light in 2014.

            “I see this as an environmental project. I’m trying to open up people’s feelings,” he told CBS in a 2014 interview.

            The caves themselves are large and well lit with hand carved skylights. Driving through the area, one can see holes in the hills that serve as windows, and the inside of the caves have high columns and detailed patterned engravings. To say the least, they are breathtaking and they give a sense of serenity, just as he intended.

Photo courtesy of CNN.

            He said in the same interview that if there was anything he wished people would take with them from his work, it would be “at least a moment or a length of time in which they had a deeper feeling or a deeper understanding of themselves and life.”

            Though some of his caves are private commissions, there is one that is currently available to the public. Visitors are able to take a tour to see the beauty of the meditation cave, just down the street from a popular hot spring called Ojo Caliente.

            Paulette, who only uses hand tools for his laborious work, still carves away at caves today. He is completely self-taught, and has no schooling in architecture or engineering. These caves are born from his imagination alone.

Ra Paulette outside one of his caves. Photo courtesy of demliked.com.

            Of all the art in New Mexico, Paulette’s is in my opinion the most unique and introspective. Based on what information is published about him, it would seem that he is an artist through and through – someone who does not make these caves for money, or for any tangible effect. He said in the interview I referenced that he takes the most pleasure in the act of creating the caves. It is by doing so that he feels he is able to fully express himself. He may look like a common man on the outside, but thanks to his drive and passion for his work, we are able to explore the inner workings of his mind. In essence, I think this is what art amounts to. 

Photo courtesy of CBS.