The Trickster Shift: Humour and Irony in Contemporary Native Art
Allan J. Ryan
1999
The influence and power of the Trickster figure—often embodied as Coyote—is deeply entwined with Native cultural sensibility and expressed through wry, ironic humour. In this entertaining and innovative book, Allan Ryan explores the Trickster's presence in the work of outstanding artists such as Carl Beam, Rebecca Belmore, Bob Boyer, Joane Cardinal-Schubert, George Littlechild, Jim Logan, Gerald McMaster, Shelley Niro, Ron Noganosh, Jane Ash Poitras, Edward Poitras, Bill Powless, and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Gloriously illustrated, The Trickster Shift not only presents some of the most stunningly original examples of contemporary Native art but also allows the artists to offer their own insights into the creative process and the nature of Native humour. The humour—and the art—is characterized by teasing, outrageous punning, surprising associations, extreme subtlety, layered and serious reference, and considerable compassion. Allan J. Ryan juxtaposes his commentary with that of artists, elders, actors, writers, linguists, museum curators, and art historians. From the images, songs, poems, prose, and personal anecdotes emerges a witty play between text and counter-text that mirrors the Trickster practice of the artists themselves.
Carleton University
Carleton University
Identifier
L0150Call Number
N6549.5.A54 R92 1999Extent
xv, 303 pages : illustrations ; hardcover 29 cmLanguage
ISBN
0295978163Place of Publication
Vancouver, BCPublication Type
PrintContributor
Carl Beam, Rebecca Belmore, Peter Blue Cloud, Bob Boyer, Joane Cardinal-Schubert, Gary Farmer, Viviane Gray, Vern Harper, Tom Hill, Jim Logan, Gerald McMaster, Shelley Niro, Ron Noganosh, Ruth Phillips, Edward Poitras, Jane Ash Poitras, Bill Powless, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, George Littlechild, Curtis JonniePublisher
UBC PressAuthor
Allan J. RyanCollection
grunt gallery LibraryCopyright UBC Press 1999.