Artwork Description
Virgil Ortiz – Tahu, Leader of the Blind Archers with Turkey Track
Dimensions: 47.75 x 47.75 x 2″
Year: 2024
Medium: acrylic and graphite
Tahu, a leading character in Ortiz’s Pueblo Revolt 1680/2180 saga, reflects pueblo women’s strength, wisdom, and resilience. A young Tahu is challenged to an archery contest against a Castilian fighter. Unaware of Tahu’s extraordinary archery skills, she defeats him. Enraged by the defeat, the Castilian troops retaliate and viciously blind Tahu and all the young girls in the pueblo, using heated swords to pierce their eyes.
Unwilling to accept this unjust punishment, Tahu hones her skills with a bow and arrow and recruits an army of blind archers. They relentlessly battle the invaders and drive them out. Tahu, a humble pueblo girl, becomes a superhero. She tells her fellow warriors, “You are no longer blind when you can see through your fear!”