The trickster shift: humour and irony in contemporary native art

Abstract

This richly illustrated book highlights the humour and irony in the work of contemporary Native artists from Canada. Ryan’s introduction outlines the genesis of his research on the Trickster figure in traditional First Nations culture. The non-linear structure of the text is conceived as “trickster discourse,” and reflects the intertextual nature of its subject matter. The four texts by Ryan use irony and parody to address the following topics: contemporary interpretations of the Trickster figure; the re-creation of identity in the work of Native artists; the subversion of traditional Aboriginal forms of representation; and the deconstruction of political power/government oppression. The texts are interspersed with artist’s statements, excerpts from conversations with artists and curators, reviews and descriptions of various exhibitions. Includes a six-page index. Brief biographical notes on the author and artists interviewed. Circa 400 bibl. ref.

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