Jordan Abel: Redefining Literature Through Conceptual Poetry and Fiction
Jordan Abel is a distinguished writer whose body of work confronts the legacies of settler-colonialism—the systemic practice of establishing colonies on indigenous lands. By employing conceptual poetic approaches, Abel transforms colonial texts into provocative art, challenging the narratives embedded in historical archives and Western literature.
Key Facts
- Specializes in conceptual poetry that samples and interrupts colonial archives.
- Winner of the 2017 Griffin Poetry Prize for the book Injun.
- Recipient of the 2024 Governor General's Award for English-language fiction for Empty Spaces.
- Utilizes source materials such as the Project Gutenberg archive and the works of ethnographer Marius Barbeau.
The Evolution of a Conceptual Poet
Abel's literary journey is marked by a unique methodology: he cuts up, samples, and interrupts existing texts to expose their underlying biases. This technique allows him to engage directly with the mechanisms of colonial storytelling.
Early Works and Recognition
His debut poetry collection, The Place of Scraps (Talonbooks), utilized the writings of 20th-century ethnographer Marius Barbeau as its primary source text. The work earned the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize and was a finalist for the Gerald Lampert Award in 2014. This was followed by Un/inhabited, which the CBC recognized as one of the best 75 books of 2015.
The Impact of Injun
In 2017, Abel received the prestigious Griffin Poetry Prize for his third book, Injun. This collection was constructed from 91 Western novels written over the course of three centuries, using the archive of Project Gutenberg to critique the portrayal of Indigenous peoples in Western fiction.
Expanding into Memoir and Fiction
While his early career focused on poetry, Abel has successfully expanded his reach into non-fiction and novel writing, continuing his exploration of identity and history.
NISHGA and Personal Narrative
Published in 2020, the memoir NISHGA offers a more personal lens. The work was shortlisted for the 2021 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction, cementing Abel's versatility as a writer.
Success in Fiction with Empty Spaces
In 2023, Abel published his novel Empty Spaces. The book was shortlisted for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award and achieved significant acclaim by winning the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction at the 2024 ceremony.
| Title | Year | Genre | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Place of Scraps | 2014 | Poetry | Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize |
| Un/inhabited | 2015 | Poetry | CBC Best 75 Books of 2015 |
| Injun | 2017 | Poetry | Griffin Poetry Prize |
| NISHGA | 2020 | Memoir | Shortlisted for Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize |
| Empty Spaces | 2023 | Novel | Governor General's Award for English-language fiction |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary theme of Jordan Abel's work?
Jordan Abel's work primarily addresses settler-colonialism, using conceptual poetry and fiction to critique and interrupt colonial texts and archives.
Which archives has Jordan Abel used in his poetry?
He has utilized the Project Gutenberg archive of Western novels and the ethnographic works of Marius Barbeau, specifically regarding Totem Poles.
What award did the novel Empty Spaces win?
Empty Spaces won the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction in 2024.
Which poetry collection won the Griffin Poetry Prize?
The collection titled Injun, based on 91 Western novels, won the Griffin Poetry Prize in 2017.
Is Jordan Abel only a poet?
No, while he began with conceptual poetry, he has also written a memoir (NISHGA) and a novel (Empty Spaces).