Virgil Ortiz tells the story of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt through his artwork, contemporizing the central characters as sci-fi superheroes to engage younger generations. This significant historic event is rarely taught, but represents one of our nation’s most dramatic uprisings as the Puebloan people banded together to defeat their Spanish colonizers.

Hailing from a celebrated family of Cochiti potters, Ortiz views himself as a conduit, responsible for using his artistic vision and talents to preserve and perpetuate the art forms of his Indigenous heritage.

Though the revolt occurred nearly 350 years ago, the reasons for and results of it remain profoundly relevant today. The artist himself is a product of these historic figures and events, and the fight against prejudice, genocide, and ethnocentrism rages on. The strength of the people to band together, rise up, and fight for freedom and equality is repeatedly demonstrated in contemporary society.

The Virgil Ortiz exhibits run through May19, 2019. This is one you will want to see!