This is a complex jar by Virgil Ortiz.  The jar features a futuristic version of two Gliders (Runners) and Tahu in the 2180 style.  The story for the imagery on this piece comes from Virgil’s work focusing on the Pueblo Revolt 1680 and his futuristic 2180.  He has continued to create pieces in this series since 2007.

“In 2007 Ortiz began to identify and give form to characters who would populate his fictionalized version of the Pueblo Revolt: Tahu, a girl blinded by the Spanish conquistadors; Mopez, the leader of the Pueblo Runners; and the Castilians to represent the Spanish invaders. The characters who make up the Pueblo Revolt series are inspired by names and words in Keres (the indigenous language of Cochiti Pueblo) and other Puebloan languages. “Tahu” is a word used as a sign of respect for older Pueblo women. “Mopez” means “cardinal” and was the Keres name of Ortiz’s brother. “I wanted to use native language words and names to identify the characters. Part of the Revolt story had to be the actual events, but I also wanted it to tie into our language. If I could get the kids interested in history I might also be able to get them interested in our language and keep it alive.” “Virgil Oritz: Revolt 1680/2180”, Charles S. King

On this jar, Tahu is a young girl.  Note how he painted her with a dragonfly, using it to outline her face!  As the jar is turned, there are two “gliders” which are the futuristic version of the runners who traveled between the Pueblos with their knotted cords to time the Pueblo Revolt in 1680.  The two runners are her twin brothers, Kootz and Mopez

“Tahu, is the leader of the Blind Archers; Kootz, her twin brother and one of the Runners; and Mopez, the head of the Gliders/Runners. They travel back and forth in time, with Translator weaving the stories together as both narrator and guide.”  Virgil Ortiz: Revolt

It’s not often that Virgil would paint three faces on a piece, giving it a dynamic appearance.  Can you see the “spirit line” in the design? It is painted on the rim above the head of one of the gliders and it is a break in the painting that is seen on traditional Cochiti pottery.  Virgil has also incorporated his signature “x”, which is the turkey track into the designs.  The jar are painted with native clay slips and wild spinach (a plant) for the black.  It was traditionally fired and the black is deep and rich in coloration.  It is signed on the bottom “Virgil Ortiz’ with his cipher.  The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.