goals for realizing an educated and informed community.
This is why Virgil participates in feast days and dances, why he places so much emphasis on education, and why he works with younger
members of his family and his pueblo – as well
as any talented and interested individual – to teach pottery or engage them in his video and film production (always giving credit to such individuals, so they might have some experience and credentials when approaching others). Art is, for Ortiz, “as important as language.” Most importantly, art is a way, the
means, he can “help educate globally about what happened.” The hope is: the art he
produces is “not only a lesson but a prayer that
it doesn’t happen again.” A perfect note through which to see, hear, and understand the concept of dignity, and what it means to live a
dignified human existence.
In 2015, Virgil received the prestigious New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the
Arts (for ceramics). In 2022, Virgil Ortiz was
named the recipient of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture’s (MIAC) Living Treasure Award.
Above:
Virgil with Recon Watchmen on location at Bisti Badlands, NM
Below:
Video, Made in Native America
https://vimeo.com/889977552
Courtesy of:
VIrgil Ortiz
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