Ortiz, Virgil – “Bi-Furcation” Figure, Taboo Series

8.5"w x 11"h

$ 6,800.00

This figure by Virgil Ortiz is part of his new series, “Taboo”.  The figure is coil built, rag polished and painted with wild spinach (a plant) for the black.  The figure is all one piece and the designs painted with geometric patterns. Virgil is able to use these strong linear patterns to emphasize the forms he created in the clay. Note the turkey track design at the point of connection between the two figures.  Figures such as this are originally inspired by the Monos figures of the 1880’s. They were created to express social commentary, much as Virgil’s work is commentary today.

He says of Taboo:

“Creativity comes to me from continuing the story of my Cochiti people and how we see the world around us.  Our art from the late 1800’s told the stories of what those people were experiencing at that time.  That opened the door for me to use Taboo topics to engage people about today’s society, culture, politics, religion and even social media.  There are so many issues that people are increasingly afraid to talk about.  It’s important to show the type of imagery I’ve painted for “Taboo” and record it, even if people are afraid of it or it makes them uncomfortable.  I want to demonstrate that Native artists can innovate while using traditional methods.  We don’t have to be pigeonholed by those who want the same piece of pottery over and over again.  It’s time to give the voice back to the clay.”

Virgil writes of his particular figure…

“It’s not all black or white, passion or pain, male or female.  I painted this double figure with one side appearing darker and the other lighter.  Symbolically, it is represents the irrelevancy of the skin color of any person.  More importantly, the figures are a couple, joined together yet seemingly pulled apart. While they are male, the gender here is unimportant.  The key is that they are holding on to each other, fighting to be accepted. I wanted to create the feelings of passion, struggle, acceptance, love, unity, and eternity.  For the faces, they are wearing “helmets”, so there are no expressions.  The statement of this figure is about what we are, not just who we are.  About our struggles to find love, to join with another person and at times, take on the world, together.” Virgil Ortiz

The use of traditional and contemporary imagery has become a standard for Virgil’s pottery as he pushes the boundaries of contemporary Native clay.

Click here to see other pieces in the Taboo Series