Allan J. Ryan

Biography

A long time ago, in my final year at the Ontario College of Art, I wrote and performed political satire on CTV’s public affairs show, W5. Not long after, I cut a catchy little ragtime number about Pierre Trudeau for Capitol Records, which won a big silver trophy. And not long after that, I recorded an equally catchy tune — to my mind at least — about leaving my body to medical research when I die, on an album for CBS Records. In hindsight, it is not surprising that I later developed a close affinity for the Native American Trickster as both muse and subject/object of research when I embarked on doctoral studies in Anthropology at UBC, exploring the role of humour and irony in contemporary Aboriginal art. When the research was completed, UBC Press published it as an elegant book. The book’s favourable reception, and the many friendships and insights I developed while conducting my research, eventually led me to my present position as New Sun Chair in Aboriginal Art and Culture at Carleton University. Here, I get to work with students in Art History and Canadian Studies, teach courses on Aboriginal issues and visual arts, screen films by Canadian Aboriginal film makers for students in countries like China and Brazil, and host an annual Aboriginal arts conference. The opportunities afforded me have been countless. It has been a remarkable journey for a kid from art college taking a break from the music business. And the journey continues…

Research Interest

Contemporary Indigenous expressive arts; Aboriginal film makers Collaborative initiatives in the preservation of ethnic identities in Canada, China and Brazil Aboriginal cartoonists; humour in art