Virgil Ortiz facts for kids

Virgil Ortiz (born 1969) is a famous Pueblo artist from Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. He is well-known for his amazing pottery and cool fashion designs.

Virgil creates many kinds of pottery. This includes traditional Cochiti figures and new, experimental ones. He also makes classic pottery pots. His clothes and jewelry designs are inspired by old Native American patterns and styles. He is most famous for his unique pottery figures. These are a modern twist on the traditional Cochiti pottery figures, called monos, from the late 1800s.

About Virgil Ortiz

Virgil Ortiz was born in 1969 in Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. He was the youngest of six children. His family, the Herreras, are famous Pueblo potters in New Mexico. Their art is often found in museums and art collections.

Virgil's mother, Seferina Ortiz (1931-2007), was a well-known potter. His grandmother, Laurencita Herrera (1912–1984), was also a Cochiti potter. Virgil's mother taught him how to make traditional Cochiti Pueblo pottery. He once said, "The thought has never crossed my mind to be anything other than an artist and fashion designer. Art is in my blood." His three older siblings, Inez Ortiz, Joyce Lewis, and Janice Ortiz, are also potters.

Early Success and Inspiration

Virgil won his first award at the Santa Fe Indian Market when he was just 14 years old. He shared, "I grew up participating in Indian Market, it was always an exciting time for my family." By age 16, Virgil Ortiz was a successful artist. He started to travel and explore new places.

He explained, "I would have a show, sell pottery and save." He would then use the money to travel with a friend. They visited cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. This allowed him to experience many different cultures. Virgil was especially interested in the night club scene. There, he saw many people with tattoos and piercings. These reminded him of the old Cochiti figures from the 1800s.

This gave him an idea for his art. He said, "I was inspired to create images of what I saw." He felt free knowing he was not just inventing something new. Instead, he was bringing back old traditions. He saw himself as a "Revivalist."

Art and History

Virgil's art is greatly inspired by historical events. One major focus is the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. This was a very important event for his people. Through his work, Virgil Ortiz wants to teach new artists about his people's history. He hopes to show what happened to them.

His art pieces are seen as a way to teach the world about "the first American Revolution." Educating people about his heritage is what drives his unique work. Virgil Ortiz blends his traditional Cochiti ways with modern science fiction. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center says he gets a lot of ideas from movies like Star Wars. He often chooses to explore his love for sci-fi modernism over pottery markets.

For almost 20 years, Virgil Ortiz has shared the story of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt through his art. He makes it exciting for younger generations. He mixes history with sci-fi fantasy, like Star Wars, Prometheus, The Avengers, and Justice League. His materials and methods come from the past. But his art looks very modern and futuristic. Through his pottery, Virgil Ortiz connects his old roots with a futuristic twist.

Honors and Awards

Virgil Ortiz has received special recognition for his amazing work.

• In 2007, he was chosen as a United States Artists, Target Fellow. This was for his work in Crafts and Traditional Arts.
• In 2022, he received the Living Treasure Award from the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. This award celebrates artists who keep traditions alive.

Collections

You can find Virgil Ortiz's art in many museums. These are places where his work is kept permanently. Some of these museums include:

• The National Museum of the American Indian
• The Stedelijk Museum
• The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
• The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
• The Albuquerque Museum

And many others!

His Work

Traditional Cochiti Pottery Figures (Monos)

Long ago, when the first trains came through, Cochiti artists made funny figures. They showed the travelers who suddenly appeared in their world. These included circus performers, salespeople, and adventurers. Virgil Ortiz explained, "The figurative style was a form of social commentary." Artists used clay to show all the interesting non-native people passing through.

He added, "Those crazier pieces and the tradition of pottery as social commentary really leave the board wide open for me as an artist." Virgil Ortiz and other Cochiti potters have brought this tradition back for today's world.

Around 1984, a collector named Bob Gallegos showed young Ortiz his collection of 1800s Cochiti pottery. Ortiz was amazed. He couldn't believe how much the old pottery looked like his own work. He had never seen these pieces before.

Fashion Design

In 2003, Virgil Ortiz worked with a designer named Donna Karan. He created bold patterns for textiles based on his art. Three years later, he started his own fashion line called Indigene. In 2017, Ortiz worked with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. He designed jewelry pieces inspired by Cochiti art forms.

Exhibitions

See also

• List of Native American artists
• Lisa Holt and Harlan Reano, Lisa Holt is Ortiz's niece and also a Native American potter.