Virgil Ortiz facts for kids

Virgil Ortiz was born in 1969. He is a talented Pueblo artist from Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. He is famous for his amazing pottery and fashion designs. Virgil creates many kinds of pottery. This includes traditional Cochiti figures and unique, experimental pieces. He also designs clothing and jewelry. These designs are inspired by traditional Native American patterns. He is especially known for his cool, modern pottery figures. These are his own take on the old 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 well-known Pueblo potters. Their art is often found in museums and art collections. Virgil's mother, Seferina Ortiz (1931–2007), was a famous potter. His grandmother, Laurencita Herrera (1912–1984), was also a Cochiti potter.

Learning to Create Art

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 used the money to travel with friends to cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. These trips helped him experience different cultures. He was especially interested in the night club scene. There, he saw many people with tattoos and piercings. These reminded him of the Cochiti figures from the 1800s.

Blending History with Modern Art

Virgil felt inspired to create art based on what he saw. He realized he wasn't just inventing new styles. He was actually bringing back old traditions in a new way. He called himself a "Revivalist."

Virgil's art often focuses on important historical events. One major influence is the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. Through his work, Virgil Ortiz wants to teach younger artists about his people's history. He hopes to educate the world about what he calls "the first American Revolution." This desire to share his heritage drives his unique art.

Virgil Ortiz also gets ideas from mixing traditional Cochiti ways with modern science fiction. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center notes that he is greatly inspired by movies like Star Wars. He often combines historical events with sci-fi fantasy. He uses old techniques but creates art that looks very modern and futuristic.

Awards and Recognition

Virgil Ortiz has received several important awards for his art.

• In 2007, he was chosen as a Target Fellow by United States Artists. This award recognized his work in crafts and traditional arts.
• In 2022, he received the Living Treasure Award from the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.

Art Collections

Virgil Ortiz's artwork is displayed in many famous museum collections. These 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 around the world.

Virgil's Art and Designs

Traditional Cochiti Pottery Figures

Long ago, when the transcontinental railroad was new, Cochiti artists made pottery figures. These figures often made fun of the travelers they saw. These travelers included circus performers, salesmen, 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 their area.

Virgil Ortiz and other Cochiti potters have brought back this tradition. This allows them to use pottery to comment on today's world. Around 1984, a collector named Bob Gallegos showed young Virgil his collection of 1800s Cochiti pottery. Virgil was amazed. He had never seen these pieces before, but they looked very similar to his own work.

Fashion Design

In 2003, Virgil Ortiz worked with famous designer Donna Karan. He created bold, patterned fabrics for her designs. Three years later, he started his own fashion line called Indigene. In 2017, he teamed up with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. For this project, he designed jewelry inspired by Cochiti art.

Exhibitions

Virgil Ortiz's work has been shown in many important art exhibitions.

See also

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