Ra Paulette, a 67-year-old resident of New Mexico, crafts breathtaking caves manually. Using a shovel, pick, and cart, he daily excavates extensive tunnels and caves in sandstones, adorning them with diverse patterns.
Over the course of 25 years, working in solitude, Paulette has fashioned an underground fairy-tale realm that is truly awe-inspiring.
Through unwavering determination and skill, he has achieved remarkable results, transforming vast caves into picturesque spaces.
Despite receiving only symbolic compensation for his labor, Paulette revealed in an interview that he engages in this pursuit purely for enjoyment.
Every moment spent within the evolving “museum” holds greater value for him than the monetary rewards.
Having already crafted 14 caves, Ra Paulette is presently dedicated to his 15th creation. The final cave is anticipated to be his magnum opus, with over a decade spent on its walls, and it remains a work in progress.
Paulette expressed that this space holds special significance for him. Despite receiving requests for commissioned work after his initial success, he declined all offers, unwilling to compromise his artistic vision.
Renowned beyond his homeland, Ra Paulette gained fame through a documentary titled “The Cave Digger,” which earned an Oscar nomination in 2013.
