Another milestone: The final day open to the public is 28 March 2024, 10 am–9 pm.

00:00
/
00:00

Armand Garnet Ruffo Reading and Book Launch

Atrium
Thursday 26 February 2015
7–8:30 pm

Norval Morrisseau: Man Changing into Thunderbird

Norval Morrisseau (1932–2007), Anishinaabe shaman-artist, drew his first sketches at age six in the sandy shores of Lake Nipigon. By the end of his tumultuous life, the prolific self-taught artist was sought by collectors, imitated by forgers and had received multiple accolades including the Order of Canada. Norval Morrisseau: Man Changing into Thunderbird is an innovative, rich biography of this charismatic yet troubled figure. Author Armand Garnet Ruffo draws upon his own Indigenous heritage and experiences to provide insight into Morrisseau’s life and iconography.

Betty Carr-Braint, Elder in Residence at Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre, will welcome everyone to this reading and book launch event. Ruffo will give a short reading from his book, and respond to questions. Afterwards, the book will be available for purchase and signing, and visitors can enjoy light refreshments.

Armand Garnet Ruffo is a creative writer and Queen’s National Scholar in Indigenous Literatures and Languages. A member of the Sagamok Ojibway and Chapleau Cree Fox Lake First Nations, he is a respected scholar whose work has been instrumental in establishing Aboriginal Literary Studies in Canada. Ruffo drew upon extensive research and interviews with Morrisseau to create this evocative book. For more information on his work, see www.queensu.ca/english/faculty/ruffo.php

Norval Morrisseau: Man Changing into Thunderbird was published by Douglas & McIntyre in 2014. For details, see www.douglas-mcintyre.com/book/norval-morrisseau-thunderbird

The Agnes presents this event in partnership with the Department of English, Queen’s University; Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre; Kahswentha Indigenous Knowledge Initiative; Douglas & McIntyre; and Novel Idea.

Footnotes
Image Credits

Subscribe to our “This Week at Agnes” e-newsletter to stay abreast of events, news and opportunities at the art museum.