Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Join the Virginia G. Piper Writer Center for Creative Writing for an evening with author and visual artist Eric Gansworth on Thursday, November 9th, 2017 at the Heard Museum (2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004) at 7pm. Gansworth will present a talk entitled “Indigenous Binaries: Cultural Survival in Contrast” exploring how he uses the dual mediums of visual art and storytelling to undercut indigenous stereotypes and portray the tension between traditional cultures and modern life.A q&a and book signing will follow the talk. The event is open to the public and free. For more information visit http://piper.asu.edu/events.

Drawing from the tradition of Haudenosaunee belts, which use sequences of purple and white wampum beads to narrate histories, ceremonies, governance, and treaties, Native American writer and visual artist Eric Gansworth (enrolled Onondaga) will discuss the ways his work uses high contrast imagery and storytelling to engage with cultural binaries and explore the complexities of the contemporary indigenous experience. What is the relationship between the painted image and the written word? What are the tensions between Native traditions and popular culture? How do we reconcile America’s past with the present? What does it mean to be a meaningful participant in 21st century indigenous life?