standing figure seen from knees up, with head bent down, wearing feathered headdress and gas mask, holding whips, with a bow and quiver of arrows across back; red circle around upper body; black and red on white; one of a set of three

Translator, Commander of the Spirit World Army, 2020

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Multidisciplinary artist Virgil Ortiz draws upon Pueblo history to create futuristic worlds where Indigenous people continue their fight against intruders onto their lands so that their people can continue to thrive and preserve and protect their ways of life. This is a part of Ortiz’s 1680/2180 series. In 1680 Pueblo communities across the Southwest banded together to successfully execute the largest uprising in North American history. After decades of a Spanish regime of brutal violence, enforced servitude, and a ban on all traditional religious practices, Pueblo communities successfully revolted against colonizers and settlers. This uprising, under the leadership of Po’Pay allowed Pueblos to remain liberated for 12 years. In 1682, they signed a peace agreement with the Spanish Crown.

Each character Ortiz creates live in the year 2180, a part of Pueblo understandings of the cyclical nature of time and space. These characters offer contemporary Pueblo people sources of strength, as active participants in a long lineage of warriors and in a future reality, and serve as Pueblo-specific superheroes and role models for young Pueblo people. In 2180, like in 1680, Pueblos are again in chaos, and invasion of Native land continues. These mythic figures have exceptional abilities in war, perception, and navigation. The three lithographs include specific warriors, including Taoky, Doyen of the Rez Spine Watchman, Lee-Tho, Recon of the North Realm Rez Spine Watchman, and Translator, Commander of the Spirit World Army.

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Details
Title
Translator, Commander of the Spirit World Army
Artist Life
American (Cochiti Pueblo), born 1969
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2021.32.4
Curator Approved

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standing figure seen from knees up, with head bent down, wearing feathered headdress and gas mask, holding whips, with a bow and quiver of arrows across back; red circle around upper body; black and red on white; one of a set of three
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