Born in 1954, John Laford is an Ojibway artist from Manitoulin Island, Ontario. He has thoroughly studied his culture and art at Algonquin College in Pembroke, Ontario. He also studied pottery in New Mexico and the old pictographs and rock paintings of his ancestors.

Although he sees himself as a self taught artist, these studies have brought him social awareness, leading to an openness to many ancient and contemporary styles. His paintings can be found in museums across Canada, the US and Australia, as well as in numerous private collections across the globe.