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Two Headed Ceramic Figure
Two Headed Ceramic Figure
Two Headed Ceramic Figure

Two Headed Ceramic Figure

Artist Inez Ortiz 1960 Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico - 2008
Datelate 20th century
Mediumfired clay with pigments
Dimensions7 × 4 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (17.8 × 11.4 × 6.4 cm)
ClassificationsCeramic
Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of the estate of Ruth and Sidney Schultz
Object numberPC2022.44.76
DescriptionA sculpted ceramic figure with two heads. Each head bares a mustache and open mouth. The figure wears boots and gloves and has a fringed collar.
On View
Not on view
Text Entries

Ingenio, humor y sátira

25 Junio 2022 – 29 Enero 2023


La creación de objetos en arcilla ha tenido un papel fundamental en la vida de los pueblo, y es representativa de historias sobre sus orígenes, canciones, la cosmología y la existencia de este grupo. Las figuritas huecas suelen tener la boca abierta y los brazos extendidos, y prueban la destreza y la capacidad del alfarero. Esta original figurita de Inez Ortiz es un ejemplo del renacimiento de la cerámica tradicional cochiti.  Las figuritas de este estilo eran un método para hacer crítica social y se hacían para representar de una forma divertida o satírica la forma en que los alfareros cochiti percibían a los que eran diferentes de ellos. En un intento de lidiar con el influjo de población que llegó al oeste a principios de 1800 y como forma de empoderamiento, estas figuras a menudo reflejaban las curiosidades de la naturaleza, como por ejemplo los circos itinerantes y gemelos siameses.

Exhibition: Wit, Humor, & Satire

on view June 25, 2022 - January 29, 2023


The creation of objects with clay has played a vital role in Pueblo life, representative of origin stories, songs, cosmology, and Pueblo existence. The hollow figurines often have opened mouths, with the arms extended from the body demonstrating the potter’s skill and ability. Inez Ortiz’s imaginative figurine demonstrates a renaissance of traditional Cochiti pottery.  Figurines like this were a method of social criticism and are intended to depict the way Cochiti potters viewed those different from themselves in a humorous or satirical way. Coping with the influx of people moving west in the 1800s, and as a form of empowerment, these figures often took on the curiosities of nature including traveling circuses, and conjoined twins.

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