Arts·Q with Tom Power

Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas on mixing Haida art with Japanese manga

In an interview with guest host Talia Schlanger, the Haida artist talks about using the graphic novel form to make his art more accessible to a wider audience. His new exhibit, Diaries After a Flood, is on now at MOCA Toronto.

The Haida artist talks about using the graphic novel form to make his art more accessible to a wider audience

Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas wearing over-ear headphones and sitting in front of a studio microphone.
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas in the Q studio in Toronto. (Vivian Rashotte/CBC)

Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a Haida artist who's considered the father of Haida manga — a distinct style that combines the traditional art of his culture with contemporary Japanese comic book storytelling. His work explores themes of cultural identity, environmentalism and colonialism, while making it accessible in the graphic novel form. Yahgulanaas sits down with Q guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss Haida manga and his new exhibit, Diaries After a Flood, which is on now until Jan. 26 at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto.

The full interview with Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is available on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas produced by Mitch Pollock.