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by Charles S. King (Author), Virgil Ortiz (Artist)
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.
Author Biography
Charles S. King is an author, pueblo pottery expert, and gallerist. In 1996 he established King Galleries, with locations in Scottsdale and more recently in Santa Fe, representing many of today's leading Native potters, historic clay works, and contemporary paintings. He is the author of Spoken Through Clay: Native Pottery of the Southwest--The Eric S. Dobkin Collection (MNMP); Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya (MNMP); The Life and Art of Tony Da; and Virgil Ortiz: Revolt 1680/2180. He has served on boards of art associations and judged pottery at prestigious events including Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Indian Market, and Gallup Ceremonial.
