This is one of the great iconic jars by Virgil Ortiz in his Pueblo Revolt Series.  The jar was made for the “Blind Archers” gallery exhibit in 2013.  The story of Tahu, the Blind Archer is part of his work centering around the Pueblo Revolt 1680/2180.  The jar has Tahu in a 2180 stance on one side, and on the opposite side the 1680 Tahu has the iconic rose in her mouth.  Separating the two figures are hummingbirds, which circle the jar and are surrounded by the wildflower tendrils.  The hummingbirds are a symbolic image used by Virgil to represent his mother, Seferina Ortiz, on his pottery. In this series, which Virgil has spoken about the importance of women in Pueblo culture, it was important for him to include his mother in the art.  The Blind Archer series can be summed up in Virgil’s words which were in the catalog for the show, “See the Truth.  Defeat your Fear”.  The jar has the “spirit line” which is a break in the painting on the rim.  It has been traditionally fired and uses native clay, native clay slips and wild spinach (the black).  The piece is signed on the bottom. The use of traditional and contemporary imagery has become a standard for Virgil’s pottery as he pushes the boundaries of contemporary Native clay.  The jar included a copy of the “Bind Archer” catalog from the exhibit in 2013, where the jar is featured.