Me Artsy

by Drew Hayden Taylor (Editor), Zacharias Kunuk, Steve Teekens

There are a few questions that professional artists get asked regularly: Where do you get your ideas? How did you get started? And be honest—are you really in it for the money?

Following the highly successful Me Funny and Me Sexy anthologies, Me Artsy answers these eternal questions and more. With essays from fourteen First Nations artists from a variety of disciplines, the collection provides insight into the paths that led each artist to pursue and develop his or her craft. The essays explore many common themes around the role of art in First Nations communities, including the importance of art for creating social change, the role of art in representing Native culture and the fusion of traditional and contemporary techniques. On a more personal level, the essays describe the significance of art in the lives of the contributors, along with their sometimes unlikely journeys to success, stories which are often touched with humour and humility.

Chef David Wolfman describes gruelling years of prep work in the kitchens of the exclusive National Club; filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk discusses leaping into his first feature film without knowing how to finance it; fashion designer Kim Picard describes making a dress inspired by coffee beans; and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor tells the story of putting a bullet through his first play and burying it in his yard. Other contributors include actor/playwright Monique Mojica, painter Marianne Nicolson, painter Maxine Noel, blues pianist Murray Porter, scholar Karyn Recollet, dancer/choreographer Santee Smith, director/actor Rose Stella, drummer Steve Teekens, writer Richard Van Camp and manga artist Michael Nicholl Yahgulanaas.

Genres: Indigenous, Art, Nonfiction, Canada

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2015

About the author

During the last thirty years of his life, Drew Hayden Taylor has done many things, most of which he is proud of. An Ojibway from the Curve Lake First Nations in Ontario, he has worn many hats in his literary career, from performing stand-up comedy at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., to being Artistic Director of Canada's premiere Native theatre company, Native Earth Performing Arts. He has been an award-winning playwright (with over 70 productions of his work), a journalist/columnist (appearing regularly in several Canadian newspapers and magazines), short-story writer, novelist, television scriptwriter, and has worked on over 17 documentaries exploring the Native experience. Most notably, he wrote and directed REDSKINS, TRICKSTERS AND PUPPY STEW, a documentary on Native humour for the National Film Board of Canada.

He has traveled to sixteen countries around the world, spreading the gospel of Native literature to the world. Through many of his books, most notably the four volume set of the FUNNY, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE ONE series, he has tried to educate and inform the world about issues that reflect, celebrate, and interfere in the lives of Canada's First Nations.

Self described as a contemporary story teller in what ever form, last summer saw the production of the third season of MIXED BLESSINGS, a television comedy series he co-created and is the head writer for. This fall, a made-for-tv movie he wrote, based on his Governor General's nominated play was nominated for three Gemini Awards, including Best Movie. Originally it aired on APTN and opened the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, and the Dreamspeakers Film Festival in Edmonton.

The last few years has seen him proudly serve as the Writer-In-Residence at the University of Michigan and the University of Western Ontario. In 2007, Annick Press published his first Novel, THE NIGHT WANDERER: A Native Gothic Novel, a teen novel about an Ojibway vampire. Two years ago, his non-fiction book exploring the world of Native sexuality, called ME SEXY, was published by Douglas & McIntyre. It is a follow up to his highly successful book on Native humour, ME FUNNY.

The author of 20 books in total, he is eagerly awaiting the publication of his new novel in February by Random House as "One of the new faces of fiction for 2010", titled MOTORCYCLES AND SWEETGRASS. In January, his new play, DEAD WHITE WRITER ON THE FLOOR, opens at Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay. Currently, he is working on a new play titled CREES IN THE CARRIBEAN, and a collection of essays called POSTCARDS FROM THE FOUR DIRECTIONS. More importantly, he is desperately trying to find the time to do his laundry.

Oddly enough, the thing his mother is most proud of is his ability to make spaghetti from scratch.

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of My Life by Zacharias Kunuk (producer & director)

Verbing Art by Monique Mojica (actor & playwright)

A Mark in the Land by Marianne Nicolson (installation artist)

My Grandmother’s Eyes by Maxine Noel (visual artist)

Inspiration by Kim Picard (fashion designer)

My Blues Journey by Murray Porter (bluesman)

For Sisters by Karyn Recollet (cultural theorist)

A Dancing Path by Santee Smith (choreographer, dancer & producer)

Let’s Get Artsy—Yes, Let’s! by Rose Stella (actor, singer & artistic director)

Once upon a Medium: The Evolution of Theatrical Storytelling by Drew Hayden Taylor (playwright & writer)

Drumming 101 by Steve Teekens (traditional drummer)

Uncle Richard Van Camp’s Storytelling Tips by Richard Van Camp (storyteller & writer)

Aboriginal CON-Fusion by David Wolfman (chef)

Haida Manga by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas (manga artist)

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Even after twenty-six published books, I don’t know what a split infinitive or dangling participle is. I hire white people for that kind of information.” Drew Hayden Taylor

[Shaughny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb. An insight-filled panoramic montage of the spirit, energy, wealth and diversity of Canada's First Nations artists. I was drawn to the book by its quirky title and colourful cover, moved to take it home as it relates to Canada's FN peoples. I was moved and inspired by the stories and messages the contributors presented. The range and vision of these talented individuals bodes well for the healing spirit of Canada's First Nations. I look forward to seeing the growth and impact of this human treasure in and upon Canadian culture.

[Cathy Converse · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and important book on the power of indigenous art to effect personal and social change. Not all contributors are professional writers, but their honesty and spirit is refreshing and shines through their stories. The editor and compiler, Drew Hayden Taylor, is one of my favourite writers and storytellers. He has the ability to take words and pin them to your soul.

[Denise Nisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked some of the essays better than others, but overall glad I read these Indigenous perspectives on artmaking in so many different fields.

[Wordfest Calgary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by one of Wordfest dedicated volunteer readers: Georgette Swenson

Me Artsy is a compilation of fourteen essays from various contemporary First Nations artists who create work in a number of different fields. The fields the artists work in include: films, gourmet cuisine, blues music, fashion design, acting, writing, painting, traditional drumming and storytelling. Although the book is focused on First Nations artists, creative people from any background can appreciate and relate to many aspects of the stories in this book. The editor Drew Hayden Taylor wanted to explore and deconstruct the Aboriginal artistic spirit as it is expressed through both traditional and contemporary Indigenous North American art forms.

This book is categorized as First Nations non-fiction but it is also an enjoyable read for anyone who possesses a keen interest in arts and culture.

More at http://wordfest.com/news/review-of-me...

[Fern · Rating 3 out of 5]

With any collection, there will probably be contributions that worked with you and some that don't, this is especially the case when many of the contributors are not writers themselves. However, I found that each essay was worth reading and I came away from it wiser or more knowledgable. There are perspectives in this book you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. I recommend it to anyone wanting to expand their understanding of Native peoples.

[Alexis]

Read for a review

[Clivemichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, entertaining, varied and inspiring.