Born in 1942 in a small farming hamlet in southern Saskatchewan, Joe Fafard burst onto the international scene in the 1960s and ’70s as one of the most innovative sculptors and teachers in Canada.

When art making in Canada began to take a radical new direction, Fafard was at the forefront, exploring new media and new imagery. His trademark ceramic cows and bulls have become iconic, and his three-dimensional portraits crackle with insight and humanity—as well as his trademark sly humour. The retrospective exhibition that will tour the country confirms the significance of his oeuvre and his esteemed place in the art pantheon, both here and abroad.