Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Susan Murar about Norval Morrisseau

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* This post has been previously published on September 26th, 2011

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Portrait of Norval Morrisseau (detail) Illustration by Spirit Walker
© Susan Murar; Photography by Lucinda Jones
/Click on image to Enter Susan Murar's website/

Portrait (White clay): 6'-4" x 3'-6" x 2'-2" (Height x Width x Depth)
Staff (White clay): 3'-10" x 1'-10" x 10" (Height x Width x Depth)
/The portrait has not yet been cast into bronze/
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SHAMAN ARTIST-Norval Morrisseau has not left us, love never leaves, it defines life. He was aware as an artist in this world that the quest and the goal of all life is to reach the pinnacle of understanding the concept of love. The subtext of all his life's work - and he heard it in Spirit - "It is essential that all life respect life". Love. His creations were defined by love. Humankind is in the process of discover­ing the definition of love, and Norval was well aware of this in every cell of his Being. He did everything that was within his powers to move us closer to this understanding, through his paintings.

He has told us that he is a child of the stars, and he tried to tell us that we too are star children. He demonstrated beautifully, artistically, that there is no balance between spirit life and physical life, there is no contest - the Spirit is always #1. Because of this and he understood this instinctively, joy is our legacy, "wherever joy is, you are". Norval knew this and he gave this to us intimately as "Copper Thunderbird" shaman artist.

He has not left us, he is here celebrating his gifts to us as we continue to receive them. For generations to come - the joy of his creations will speak to us of this great artist, and we will wonder and certainly rejoice as he was so much a part of us, and we of him. As we are all - always in all ways - he was a messenger.

"All is well, blessings be."-

Susan Murar
ZUSKA GEVURAH


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2 comments:

Susan Murar said...

Spirit Walker,
Thank you for sharing my portrait of Norval Morrisseau Changing into Copper Thunderbird on your Wednesday, January 7 blog. This is the first 3D and monumental portrait of Morrisseau created in the 21st century- it was a two year project finished on December 25, 2009. A new DVD/with enclosed booklet is now available "The Story Behind the Portrait of Norval Morrisseau" from Artist Agent Alexa MacKenzie (alexa.g.macken@gmail.com). I am continuing to honour Morrisseau with new monumental sculptures related to his life and oeuvre, these include: "The Ascended Master", "Spirit Presence at the House of Invention", "Ancestoral Shaman", and, Grandfather "Potan". It is hoped that a major Canadian Museum or someone with vision will soon realize the importance of this work in Canadian art history "to build bridges between the peoples of the earth and heal the divisions between hearts". It is a vital time for these masterworks to be purchased, and cast into bronze, so that they may live on permanently and enjoyed by the hearts of present and, future generations. "Morrisseau Sculptor" Susan Murar.

Anonymous said...

Spirit Walker,
On January 6, I received an email from the Honourable Shelly Glover, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage, in response to the information she received about my portrait "Norval Morrisseau Changing into Copper Thunderbrid". She said, "Dear Ms. Murar, Thank you for your email of November 13, 2014 inquiring whether the Government of Canada would be interested in purchasing your sculpture of the late Ojibwa artist, Norval Morrisseau. I appreciate your taking the time to inform me of your endeavors and commend your efforts to honour one of Canada's most important First Nations artists." She continued by suggesting I contact THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA. THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY, and, THE CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS' BANK which are Crown Corporations. As "Morrisseau Sculptor" I have of course, contacted these organizations and now it is time for as many individuals as possible to email and/or send letters to THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA to advocate for their purchase of the portrait of Norval Morrisseau - that is the rightful place for his likeness to be as "one of Canada's most important First Nations artists". It takes a community to make things like this happen, please join and make your voice heard at THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA. Thank you, Susan Murar/"Morrisseau Sculptor"