Eric Gansworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Gansworth
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Gansworth in Speaking Portraits
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| Born | 1965 (age 59–60) Tuscarora Indian Nation |
| Occupation | Professor of English and Lowery Writer-in-Residence at Canisius College |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | Onondaga Nation, American |
| Education | Tuscarora Indian School, Niagara County Community College, State University College at Buffalo |
| Genre | Native American literature |
| Subject | Contemporary Haudenosaunee culture |
| Notable works | Mending Skins (2005); Extra Indians (2010); If I Ever Get Out of Here (2013) |
| Notable awards | American Book Award (2011) for Extra Indians; PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles National Literary Award (2006) for Mending Skins |
Eric Gansworth, born in 1965, is a talented writer and artist from New York. He is a member of the Onondaga Nation and has Tuscarora family roots. He writes novels and poems, and also creates amazing visual art.
About Eric Gansworth
Eric Gansworth was born in 1965. He is a member of the Onondaga Nation and grew up in the Tuscarora Nation. He belongs to the Eel Clan.
He first studied electroencephalography, which is about brain activity. This was seen as a helpful job for his community. But Eric later decided to study literature. He also kept up his lifelong passion for painting and drawing.
His Books and Stories
Eric Gansworth has written five novels. Two of his award-winning books are Mending Skins (2005) and Extra Indians (2010). His books often include illustrations, which makes reading them a special experience.
His first young adult novel, If I Ever Get out of Here, is very popular. It tells the story of a friendship between two boys. One boy lives on the Tuscarora Nation, and the other lives on a nearby Air Force base. Critics praised the book for showing real characters and worlds.
Eric Gansworth has said that when he was growing up, he rarely saw pictures of modern Native American life. He wanted more images to practice his drawing. Later, in his studies, he noticed there weren't many books by American Indian authors. Much of his writing and art today tries to fill this gap. He wants to show how history affects the present. He also explores popular entertainment in his work.
His nonfiction book Apple (Skin to the Core) (2000) won a Michael L. Printz honor. This award is for excellent young adult writing.
His Art and Paintings
Eric Gansworth started his art career by selling his drawings. His first big art show was called Nickel Eclipse: Iroquois Moon in 1999. Since then, he has shown his art regularly. One of his images was even chosen for the cover of a novel by another famous writer, Sherman Alexie.
See also
