Artwork Description
Virgil Ortiz – Po’pay
Dimensions: 42 x 37 x 27″
Year: 2024
Medium: high fire clay and glazes with hand painting
The great leader of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was the man Ortiz depicts in this image–Po’pay. Po’pay inspired pride in pueblo people and gave them courage to revolt against the oppressive Castillian regime that brought pain and suffering to pueblo people in New Mexico. Ortiz dedicates his art practice to telling the story of the great pueblo revolt Po’pay led, and sharing the richness of pueblo culture with contemporary generations of people everywhere.
This monumental sculpture of Po’pay is Ortiz’s first work of faceted clay, which he has handpainted. Ortiz has adorned Po’pay with a turquoise earring. This work is featured in Ortiz’s Revolt solo exhibitions at [CONTAINER] Santa Fe as well as his solo exhibition at the Lowe Museum in Miami in 2024.