Born: 1969
Contact: www.virgilortiz.com
Vessel Forms: Figures/Effigies/Monos, Ollas/Jars, Canteens
Comments: 2006 Santa Fe Indian Market Poster Artist
Not only is Virgil a ceramic artist, he is also a fashion designer.
Trademark graphic black swirls.
Even though the standing figures or Monos that Virgil makes are very contemporary in appearance, they are actually a revival of a form that first was seen in the late 1800s. Virgil redefines these early forms into his own creations, which stand out and get noticed. Yet his every step involves traditional pottery making techniques. Virgil digs his own clay and processes it, then builds the figures from coils. Over a white clay slip he paints his vessels with black pigment from wild spinach leaves. Then fires in an outdoor open fire.
References:
Indian Market Magazine, Santa Fean Publication
2006 Collector's Edition
