Virgil Ortiz: Revolution

Book excerpt: With an artistic career spanning four decades, Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo) is one of the most innovative artists working today. Not one to be limited or categorized, Ortiz's artistry extends across mediums and boundaries--challenging societal expectations and breaking taboos. Ortiz was taught traditional pueblo pottery techniques passed down from a matrilineal line of renowned Cochiti potters--grandmother Laurencita Herrera (1912-1984) and mother Seferina Ortiz (1931-2007). Virgil Ortiz: reVOlution is a midcareer retrospective that presents a view into Ortiz's transformative pottery and art to illuminate his creative and artistic manifestations. With a vision that merges apocalyptic themes, science fiction, and storytelling, Ortiz's ingenuity as a contemporary artist, provocateur, activist, futurist, and preservationist extends to his creativity working across media including pottery, design, fashion, film, jewelry, and décor. This beautiful book features more than 200 works of art selected by Virgil Ortiz as well as his artist statement. Curator Karen Kramer contributes a compelling portrait of the artist in the foreword to Charles S. King's biography. In addition, this book represents a unique collaboration between book designer and artist with Ortiz leaving his imprint on each page.