Norval Morrisseau's "Twins" (Part I)

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"MISHIPISHU AND THE SPIRITS", 1981

/Click on image to enlarge/

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Both of these paintings in my opinion originate from the same painting session* of Norval Morrisseau. The one on the left is as per book "Norval Morrisseau Travels to the House of Invention" titled "Mishipishu and the Spirits" (size: 51"x46", dated 1981). The one on the right is "Untitled" (size: 39"x44", dated 1981) and is from Spirit Walker's private collection.

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It is interesting to mention that painting in the book "Norval Morrisseau travels to the House of Invention" (page 115) is oriented incorrectly (rotated 90 deg. CW). For the publisher it was not easy to determine proper orientation due to the fact that Norval Morrisseau signed the painting in syllabics in the top right corner that could have been oriented in two possible ways. The painting on the right was signed in the way that is clear what was proper orientation of the painting even it was very clear that composition has much stronger effect if oriented as presented here.

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As I stated earlier in one of the comments: "Norval repeated his images many times". This particular example involves two paintings quite possibly painted at the same time. I have also an example where he painted two almost identical images thirteen years apart...

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Spirit Walker

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* - It was very well known fact that Norval Morrisseau would sometimes use several canvases of the same or different sizes and paint variations of the same theme until completing painting all of the canvases. Sometimes he would title them and sometimes he wouldn't. I am positive that if both paintings came from the same painting session that the one on the top left has his signature in English with copyright symbol in the same way that painting on the top right has which is in collection of Spirit Walker.

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> The image of the painting in this posting (Top left): "Mishipishu and the Spirits", 51"x46", © 1981 Norval Morrisseau published in book "Norval Morrisseau Travels to the House of Invention"; ISBN 1-55013-880-4; Painting (Top right): "Untitled", 39"x44", © 1981 Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/ <

Norval Morrisseau Mediums V

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Wood (Hardboard)

/Click on image to enlarge/

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"An artist, under pain of oblivion, must have confidence in himself, and listen only to his real master: Nature."- Pierre-Auguste Renoir

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* The painting in this posting: "Untitled", 19"x50", © 1974 Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

Masterpieces of Norval Morrisseau I

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MAKER'S WATCH - 60"x 84", © 1979 Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

/Click on image to enlarge/

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Collectors' Corner I

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I am inviting all of the collectors of Norval Morrisseau art to send images of their paintings to be posted in the "Collectors' Corner". It will be providing space for collectors to exhibit their art and for others to post their opinions about art being presented here.

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All of the paintings or selection of the paintings from each individual that submit their paintings will be posted in this category.

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Conditions are that images need to be high resolution and images of the front and back sides need to be submitted with inclusion of title, size, inscription and date if available.

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If you feel that you would like to preserve your identity you can always use fictitious e-mail address(s) at Hotmail, Yahoo or Google and send the images that way.

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"Let's share Norval Morrisseau's images with the World."

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Note: If you include more images than just a single one please note images in order of importance that I can post the most important image(s) first.

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Spirit Walker

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* Detailed information about the painting in this posting unknown: "Nature's Guide", © c. 1980s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

"Norval Morrisseau Blog" Chat Room...

... has been created at "Skype"
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Anyone interested in discussing different issues relating to the art of Norval Morrisseau are welcome by adding "Skype" user name: norvalmorrisseaublog to their contact list.

Spirit Walker

* Detailed information about the painting in this posting unknown, © c. 1970s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

Blog Master's Public Address II

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Hi to all,

“This Blog is posted in honour of the Mind, Body and Spirit of Copper Thunderbird better known as Norval Morrisseau - Grand Shaman of the Ojibway.”

I respect everyone’s right to remain anonymous and I allow comments to be placed without any interference from my side. Comments that are used in provoking others without presenting any information that could contribute answering to the important issues will be deleted without notification by the Blog Master.

We all need the truth to be known – truth that will contribute to the preservation of the legacy of Norval Morrisseau.

We all have our own lives and responsibilities and nobody has time to read political trash or quotations from the Bible.

I hope that all of you who respect Norval Morrisseau and his art will understand. For all others let them find other platform to express their angers and frustrations and let us to find the truth about greatest Canadian painter that have ever lived.

Spirit Walker

* The painting in this posting: "Grandfather with Child", 57"x35", © c. 1970s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

Norval Morrisseau Mediums IV

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Canvas

/Click on image to enlarge/
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"Love for Life is a Gift"- Norval Morrisseau
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* The painting in this posting: "Fisherman and Spirits", 60"x57", © c. 1970s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival

A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists
July 4th, 5th, 6th, 2008

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Media Release - February 6th 2008

Red Lake, Ontario, February 6, 2008 - From July 4-6, 2008, Red Lake (pop. 5000) will host the Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists. The festival will take visitors on a special journey as they discover the untold story of the artist’s life, from 1959 when he arrived in Red Lake to work as a miner, to when he left the area around 1973, the father of seven children and internationally famous as the founder of the Woodland School of Art.

Also honoured will be the members of the Triple K Cooperative, an Aboriginal print shop that operated in Red Lake between 1973 and 1980. Triple K artists included Norval Morrisseau, Goyce Kakegamic, Joshim Kakegamic, Saul Williams, Barry Peters and Paddy Peters. Triple K became the largest and most successful Aboriginal economic development initiative in Northwestern Ontario, providing an infrastructure that resulted in many artists having their work exhibited and acquired by prominent art galleries and museums in Canada and around the world. Also acknowledged during the festival will be Carl Ray, a well-known artist from Sandy Lake who preceded Triple K and is considered a trail-blazer in the Woodland art movement...

TO READ MORE CLICK HERE

* The painting in this posting: "Untitled" (Thunderbird), "30"x62", © c. 1960 Norval Morrisseau /Collection of the Red Lake Museum/

Norval Morrisseau Mediums III

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Paper (Cardboard)
/Click on image to enlarge/
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"Give me a museum and I'll fill it."- Pablo Picasso
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* The painting in this posting: "The Virgin Mary", size not available, © 1966 Norval Morrisseau /Collection of the Canada Council for the Arts/

Norval Morrisseau Mediums II

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Animal Hide (Deer)

/Click on image to enlarge/

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"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." -------Marc Chagall
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* Title and size of the art presented in this posting unknown", © c. 1980s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

Norval Morrisseau Mediums I

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Rock (Shale)
/Click on image to enlarge/
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"What counts most is finding new ways to get the world down in paint on my own terms."-Michelangelo
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* Titles and sizes of the art presented in this posting unknown", © c. 1970s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection(s)/

In Honour of Norval Morrisseau II

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NORVAL MORRISSEAU (1931-2007)
"We Are All One in Spirit"

* Detailed information about the painting in this posting unknown: "Title unknown", 15"x18", © c. 1960s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/
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In Honour of Norval Morrisseau I

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NORVAL MORRISSEAU (1931-2007)

"We Are All One in Spirit"

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* Detailed information about the painting in this posting unknown: "Holding David", 52"x42", © c. 1970s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

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Childlike Simplicity II

Original acrylic set on paper by Norval Morrisseau,

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"Energy Within", 1979

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/Private Collection/

Reverse side of 1 of 7

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1 of 7
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2 of 7
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3 of 7
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4 of 7

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5 of 7

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6 of 7

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7 of 7

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"The Shaman Artist
Wishes to express to us
Through The art form
That we are all
Like children
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Our childlike simplicity
With dignity and sweet humility
We view
One environment
and
Remind us of the Pure Spirit
Expressing itself upon ourselves."
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Norval Morrisseau, 1983

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Justice for Norval Morrisseau (Part I)

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Michael R.Moniz reporting:

Thunderbear-Canadian Art Gallery (currently 'Avalon Treasure') eBay vendor thunderbear888 (currently *avalon*)

/ Michael R. Moniz commentary in red text /

Old Art Scam surfaces on-line

Buyers Beware:Phony Norval Morrisseau paintings

have been selling on eBay,

VAL ROSS reports

They're back. It's another invasion of the fake Norval Morrisseaus.For years, canvases allegedly done by the great Ojibwa Artist have been turning up in galleries and in auction-canvases which the artist, through his business manager and friend Gabor Vadas insists are bogus.

Now they are showing up on eBay. "It's a new wrinkle on an old scam," says Toronto Lawyer Aaron Milrad who acts for the artist and the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society.

/ I quote lawyer Richard H.Baker in his letter from the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society: "the Society has not had, nor appointed, solicitors. Incorporation was handled by the late artist's solicitors."

The letter I recieved from the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society through my Lawyer Ethan M. Rogers of Daigle & Hancock L.L.P clearly states that no solicitors have ever been appointed to the committee except for the incorporation of the NMHS. Therefore Lawyer Aaron Milrad cannot be held accountable for the legitamacy of his statements in this Globe&Mail article since he has never been employed by the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society to speak on their behalf regarding the issue of authenticating Artworks by Norval Morriseau and as for any involvment regarding the Incorporation of the NMHS that is a different matter altogether. Logically any comments made by lawyer Aaron Milrad in the Globe&Mail article will have to be dismissed). /

And so far eBay's position is that it's up to a vigilant public to inform eBay's 203 million registered members of fakes via an automated program;the company takes no further responsibility.

One ad, which appeared in the late January, read "A Genuine 100 percent Athentic (sic) Acrylic on Canvas painting by Norval Morrisseau... An Excellent Investment and Golden Oppurtunity... "Prospective buyers were told that the painting comes with a certificate by a "Highly Qualified REGISTERED CERTIFIED MEMBER OF A.D.A.C. (Artists Dealers Association of Canada)."

/ The above paragraph refers to my listing on eBay in January of 2007. My eBay ID was bluenova999 and was changed to thunderbear888 in the month of April 2007. You can see a picture snap shot of my eBay listing for this detail and the piece "Father and Son" that was in the newspaper article but strangely omitted on the internet Globe&Mail archive site. /
 

/An article from "Globe&Mail" and image posted on eBay in the bottom left corner - Click on image to enlage/

 

/ I am including detailed pictures of the article as it appeared in the Globe&Mail Newspaper which shows my eBay ID name at the time as bluenova999 and the item number for the eBay listing that this painting was associated with which was item No.150081372110. The title of the piece is "Father and Son" dated 1977. I had sold the painting to a gentleman in Toronto. I have proof of all documentation of this sale to him through eBay.

The Globe&Mail article has damaged my good reputation. I was forced to change my ID from bluenova999 to thunderbear888 because of the slanderous publicity that was generated by this article written by Val Ross reporting for the Globe&Mail in Feb.2007.

I also decided to open an eBay store and title it ThunderBear-Canadian Art Gallery as part of my new marketing strategy to increase sales through eBay.

The Globe&Mail article also caused me to lose two painting sales with an eBay customer who had committed to purchase two paintings from me but later renegged on her obligation to pay me because she had read the article here set out by the Globe&Mail and became highly suspicious and worried that the pieces I was selling to her were not genuine. That was a loss of over $11,000 U.S. in the month of April 2007 on those two paintings.

She repeatedly refered to me as a "Scam Artist" and texted me the link that can be found for this article in the Globe&Mail archives on the internet as the source for her concern and decsion to no longer continue with the sale that by eBay policy she had legally been commited to finalize with me. I chose not to sue her but to go after the Globe&Mail newspaper instead for damages rendered.

One other previous customer of mine also had declined to do any further business with me and another potential customer had decided not do any further business with me because of the implications of the Globe&Mail article. They both had read and told me that this article had scared them off from buying any more pieces from me. One of these potential customers I will mention had went around asking other people for their opinion about a different piece I was selling in the early part of 2007 on eBay which I still have for sale by the way. The piece's title is "Inorganics". He was interested in buying this piece and he recieved two positive results and one negative result from three different people. I later found out that the negative result he obtained came from Bryant Ross-eBay vendor coghlanart,who had told this potential customer of mine and I quote Mr.Ross in his email to this potential customer "it's an obvious forgery". I have all the email text messages regarding this interference by this eBay Vendor.

Thanks alot Bryant Ross for interferring and the loss of a potential sale for me... you have no right to interfere with other vendor's sales and this act allown can terminate your eBay membership keep that in mind I certainly am. The painting titled "Inorganics" has been appraised by Joseph McLeod of Maslak McLeod Gallery who is a member of the Art Dealers Association of Canada.

So far at this point in time, two paintings renegged on and two potential painting sales were interferred with because of this article sent out by the Globe&Mail. "How many other potential painting sales have I lost because of this Globe&Mail article, I can only speculate?"

By April 2007 I decided to change my eBay ID and seek lawyers councel with the on going damage to my reputation and not to mention the reputation of the late great Norval Morrisseau. I have spent to date thousands of dollars in lawyer's fees with this case against the Globe&Mail newspaper. We are progressing.

My lawyer is Ethan Rogers and I have launched a law suit against the Globe&Mail newspaper for damages rendered past, present and future to my business on eBay. I demand retribution and compensation not to mention official letters of apologies. Moniz v. CTV Globemedia Publishing Inc.et al.
Lawyer: Ethan M. Rogers
Daigle & Hancock L.L.P
Barristers and Solicitors
51 Village Centre Place
Mississauga,Ontario
L4Z 1V9
Tel. 905.273.3832 Ext. #236
Email:ethan@daiglehancock.com
File Case No.6036 /

Trouble is, there's no such organization.What ADAC usually stands for is the Art Dealers Association of Canada; it's president, Patricia Fehely,is appalled to see her organization cited as endorsing the sale of dodgy goods."I have never been so angry as now, at seeing ADAC's name so blatantly plastered on something which the artist says is not authentic," she said last week, adding: "They didn't even spell authentic right."

That ad has since expired and the vendor vanished. But Vadas has found at least two other phony Morrisseaus currently on offer on eBay.

/ The paragraph above in the article states that the vendor has vanished. This simply has never been true. I have always been on eBay selling my paintings to the public and after I sold "Father and Son" at the end of January in 2007, I went on to sell another Norval Morrisseau painting in Feb.2007 to a gentleman in British Columbia titled "Spirtual Beings" dated circa 1970's. After that sale I went on sell two more paintings to another gentleman in Richmond Hill Ontario who purchased two paintings off of my eBay listings. The titles of these two other paintings are "Shaman and Apprentice" and a small "Thunderbird" piece. Patricia Feheley seems to be fixated on my ability to spell the word AUTHENTIC...ok is that good enough for you now Patricia... if not let me know?

/Click on image to enlage for detailed observation of the artist's brush stroke technique/
 

Unknowingly Patricia Feheley in her statement above had insulted one of her own members of ADAC who was none other than my appraiser Joseph McLeod of Maslak McLeod Gallery. All of my paintings that I sell have been professionally appraised by this member of ADAC.
Maslak McLeod Gallery is located in Toronto Ontario at 118 Scollard St. M5R 1G2 Canada; Tel: 416.944.2577; gallery@maslakmcleod.com ; www.maslakmcleod.com
Credentials: Joseph Mcleod
Art Dealers Association of Canada; Canada Council for Aboriginal Buisness, Canada; The Government of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. ; CanadaMuseum of Thunderbay, Thunder bay, Ont. Canada; Museum of Hamilton, Hamilton, Ont.; Canada; Smithsonian National Museum of American Art, U.S.A.; Master Dealer - Sotheby's.com; Institute of American Indian Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A.; Governor's Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A.; The Pequot Museum, Conneticut, U.S.A.; The Heard Museum, Pheonix, Arizona, U.S.A.; Volkunder Museum, Munich, Germany; Exposicao de Arte Indigena, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Collectors have greedily amassed Morrisseau canvases ever since his first exhibition of flat,stylized mythological figures made headlines in 1962. The value of his best individual works has climbed as high as $100,000,butressed by recent shows such as the National Gallery of Canada's Norval Morrisseau: Shaman Artist (which will go to the National Museum of the American Indian in New York in October, 2007).

But there is confusion over what is his best work, and indeed,what is his work at all. Morrisseau fell on hard times in the 1980's and could be seen on skid-row street corners in Vancouver, peddling paintings for the price of a bottle. Speculators bought them cheaply, without documentation, and attempted to donate them to public galleries for huge tax write-offs.

"Artists are entitled to do inferior works,"says Milrad. "The problem is the fakes." He's referring to works Morrisseau knows he did not create. Often drably coloured with wonky signatures, they've turned up for more than a decade at auction and in galleries. Vadas has more than 1,000 examples on file.

Two years ago the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society formed a six person committee of museum and government experts to compile a list of all authentic Morrisseaus. To date, the committee has identified 1,200 pieces - those with proper provenance thanks to gallery exhibitions or conscientious owners. The only way any vendor of a Morrisseau can claim it is genuine is if this committee authenticates it.

Feheley has advised that the real ADAC only stands behind those paintings endorsed by the committee.

/ I quote from the letter sent to me by the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society-
"Though able to do so, the Society has not yet made an evaluation of authenticity for any of the art it has collected in its registry. To date over 1,700 works have been registered. All information recieved is confidential."

To date the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society has amassed 1700 paintings in their catalogue raisonne of Norval Morrisseau's work. My Lawyer had posed several questions to the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society to authenticate Norval Morrisseau's work in regards to the painting "Father and Son" that I had listed on eBay and had been accused of selling as a fake on eBay by the people that Val Ross of the Globe&Mail newspaper published along with two other paintings that I wrote about that were renegged on by an eBay customer that I mentioned earlier in this article.The NMHS has come back to us with their answer that even though they have 1700 paintings cataloged they are admitting that none of these paintings have been authenticated?

Below is the actual copy of the letter that we have recieved. It is now obvious to me that the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society in my opinion has been given unwarranted credit for their involvment in the Norval Morrisseau world of Art or has been grossly misunderstood by the public as to their powers. I was led to believe like the rest of the public that this committee was involved in authenticating Norval Morrisseau's work's of art. The committee had established this belief in me falsely.

As for Mr.Gabe Vadas and his list of 1000 examples on file of alledged forgeries. I ask you Mr.Vadas to kindly present such listings for competent examination by experts other than the members of the NMHS who are not in the position at the moment of assessing Norval Morrisseau's art on the levels of authenticating such pieces for the public record. Maybe Mr.Vadas will be in a better position to enlighten all of us collectors and vendors of Norval Morrisseau's works of art to safe guard the legacy of Norval Morrisseau so that it remains untainted. Thank You.

/"The letter from the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society" - Click on image to enlage /


/ So what do we have here exactly? Well the persons mentioned in Val Ross' article are Gabe Vadas, Aarron Milrad, Patricia Fehely, and the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society have some explaining to do. I demand an APOLOGY from all of these people and the Globe&Mail publisher as well. I demand retribution and payment for damages rendered by the false claims made by these people mentioned and quoted in Val Ross' Globe&Mail article.

I am still open for business to any one of you mentioned above and I accept Bank to Bank wire transfers, Certified checks, Money orders, PayPal and cash. If you wish to purchase a fine authentic piece of art from me just contact me through my eBay store Thunderbear-Canadian Art Gallery and please submit your offers." An Excellent Investment and a Golden Oppurtunity" awaits you. Thank You. /

In fact, fakes of all kinds are a growing problem for eBay. Last year, Louis Vuitton filed a civil suit against the on-line marketplace in France (it's estimated that 90 percent of Vuitton bags on sale on eBay last year were phony). But lawsuits take time, and eBay, which sells $45-Billion (U.S) worth of goods annually, is well equipped to defend itself.

A similar case against eBay, filed in 2004 in a U.S. court by Tiffany, the luxury jeweller, will come to trial in May,2007. Until U.S. courts tell eBay to police counterfeits more actively, the recourse eBay offers to outraged parties is to join it's automated Verified Rights Program (VeRO).

"Counterfeits are bad for rights owners and for eBay," said Erin Sufrin, a spokesperson for eBay Canada."For this reason, the co-operation of rights owners-who have the necessary expertise in their product-is very important. As eBay is not a retailer, we never take possession of the items sold on our site.Therefore, we do not have the ability to inspect or examine them.
 

Late last month, Milrad couriered a letter to eBay's San Jose, Calif., headquarters saying: "Before any purported Morrisseau works are accepted by you for sale, it is imperative that you and the seller have the work reviewed by the committee and the artist himself to avoid law suits."

/ Knowing that the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society has never authenticated the Norval Morrisseau artwork in their catalogue raissone renders Lawyer Aarron Milrad's plee for eBay to police their listings illogical now that the NMHS has not done any work themselves at authenticating the 1700 pieces that they have catalogued.

As for the 1000 pieces that Mr.Gabe Vadas has collected, we the public should like to know who are the able bodies to have passsed judgement on the pieces you have on file so that we the public can better protect ourselves from the "bad guys" and protect Norval Morrisseau's legacy from becoming tainted, a worthy and noble cause Mr.Vadas.

As for the NMHS I am dismissing your committee from any further duties and involvment with artworks created by Norval Morrisseau until the committee can authenticate the 1700 pieces that they have in their catalogue raisonne. /

In reply, eBay reiterated that the Morrisseau defenders should join veRO. As of Feb. 6, eBay still had two fake Morrisseaus on offer.

Such legal wrangling,Vadas says, costs the Morrisseau estate about $70,000 a year. It could get worse: Tiffany spends more than $1-million a year(U.S.) tracking down on-line counterfeits.

But Vadas insists the expense is worth it, adding: "The fakes are a cultural catastrophe. We must keep Norval's legacy from becoming tainted."

PS: I invite all personal comments from any one else with an interest in collecting Norval Morrisseau for enjoyment and investment purposes. Thank You

Michael R.Moniz
Thunderbear-Canadian Art Gallery (currently 'Avalon Treasure')

eBay vendor thunderbear888 (currently *avalon*)

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Note of a Blog Master: I would like you to know that I am in no way associated with this eBay vendor that was accused of selling a fake Norval Morrissseau work of art as per article stated above. As I stated from the beginning the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG is a platform for the truth to be heard and to protect the Norval Morrisseau legacy.

Injustice for Norval Morrisseau (Part III)

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Spirit Walker reporting:
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THINGS TO PONDER
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The above posted images are original paintings of Norval Morrisseau. Both are painted in 1977. The one on the right is titled "Mother and Child" and the one on the left "Father and Son"(click on image to enlarge).

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It is so obvious to me that both of the paintings are the works of the same artist - Norval Morrisseau even some people might dispute my statement. I am willing to challenge any expert of Norval Morrisseau's art that these paintings are authentic works of the artist in question.

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In nine years that I have been collecting the art of Norval Morrisseau of all of the paintings that have been for sale in galleries and online more than 90% were paintings from 1970s.

It is worth mentioning that Galleries like Kinsman Robinson Galleries from Toronto and Coghlan Art Studio and Gallery from Aldergrove, BC have been avoiding exhibiting and offering for sale paintings from that decade.

Is it possible that all other galleries across Canada and eBay vendors have been selling fake Morrisseaus while the above galleries are the only trusted sellers of Norval Morrisseau’s art?

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Injustice for Norval Morrisseau (Part II)

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Spirit Walker reporting:

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THINGS TO PONDER

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The above posted images are original paintings of Norval Morrisseau. The one on the left is from 1977, "Father and Son" and the other one is from 1978, "Circle of Four"and is at the Senate of Canada collection (click on image to enlarge).

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I am positive that if the experts were to investigate both of the paintings that they will come to the conclusion that both of the paintings above are painted by the same artist: Norval Morrisseau.

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Would you think that the Senate of Canada would post fake Norval Morrisseau painting on their premises?

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Note: Painting titled "Circle of Four" was presented in one of the previous postings of this Blog: Click here.

Injustice for Norval Morrisseau (Part I)

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Spirit Walker reporting:

The painting above titled "Father and Son", 30"x30" dated 1977 is an Original work of Norval Morrisseau. This image was used in connection with an article by Val Ross from the "Globe&Mail" newspaper: "Old art scam surfaces on-line; Buyers beware: Phony Norval Morrisseau paintings have been selling on eBay" that can still be be found at Steffich Fine Art Gallery at Salt Spring Island, BC. The same article was posted at Coghlan Art Gallery in Aldergrove, BC and a link was posted at Kinsman Robinson Gallery website to direct to the same article at "Globe and Mail" website.

* Before I start commenting on the above article I would like you to know that I am in no way associated with this eBay vendor that was accused of selling a fake Norval Morrissseau work of art as per article stated above.

As I stated from the beginning the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG is a platform for the truth to be heard and to protect the Norval Morrisseau legacy. The painting above (click on image to enlarge) is an original Norval Morrisseau work of art. See image below for the inscription on the back of the painting.













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* There are several incorrect statements in the above article besides the point that we are dealing with an original Norval Morrisseau work of art:

- It is mentioned that: "Two years ago, the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society formed a six-person committee of museum and government experts to compile a list of all authentic Morrisseaus. To date, the committee has identified about 1,200 pieces -- those with proper provenance thanks to gallery exhibitions or conscientious owners. The only way any vendor of a Morrisseau can claim it is genuine is if this committee authenticates it. Feheley has advised eBay that the real ADAC only stands behind those paintings endorsed by the committee."

To date the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society have registered over 1,700 pieces. They have authenticated none of these pieces in their catalogue raisonné. Also, they recognize "that the Kinsman Robinson Gallery is a trusted dealer of Norval Morrisseau's art." I am curious about the purpose and existance of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society if they cannot authenticate registered pieces?

- It is mentioned that Gabe Vadas has more than 1,000 samples of supposed fake Norval Morrisseau's pieces of art on file. I am informed that information he has was never disclosed to anyone. What is the point to claim that one has "fake Norval Morrisseaus" if the public cannot see the samples in order to protect ourselves from the fakes?

In my opinion the quantity of alleged forgeries that Gabe Vadas expediates is not accurate.

- Also, Gabe Vadas stated: "The fakes are a cultural catastrophe. We must keep Norval's legacy from becoming tainted."

It remains to be seen who is tainting Norval's legacy the most. The truth will be found hopefully soon...

Note: To read Val Ross' article from the "Globe&Mail" newspaper: "Old art scam surfaces on-line; Buyers beware: Phony Norval Morrisseau paintings have been selling on eBay": Click here.

Childlike Simplicity I

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"The Shaman Artist

Wishes to express to us

Through The art form

That we are all

Like children

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Our childlike simplicity

With dignity and sweet humility

We view

One environment

and

Remind us of the Pure Spirit

Expressing itself upon ourselves."

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Norval Morrisseau, 1983

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* The painting in this posting: "Ogopogo", 11"x19", © 1980 Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

Words of Genius VIII

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"I may not have a Ferrari, but I'm the first Indian to break into the Canadian art scene and I have forever enriched the Canadian way of life. I want to make paintings full of colour, laughter, compassion and love. I want to make paintings that will make people happy, that will change the course of people's lives. If I can do that, I can paint for 100 years."

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Norval Morrisseau

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Norval Morrisseau's favourite sayings:

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Norval would say to 'Just Be' and know that 'All is Well'.

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"Copper Thunderbird": Norval Morrisseau

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Video compiled by "Mudhooks"

About this video:

"Norval Morrisseau is the creator of the Woodland School of Native art, a style which interweaves traditional aboriginal themes, iconography and beliefs in a unique artistic style. Norval Morrisseau, himself, was acknowledged as Grand Shaman of the Ojibway and fought against both disapproval from the Native community (for his use of spiritual themes) and bias in the traditional art community. His perseverance lead him to become the first Aboriginal artist to have a solo show at the National Gallery of Canada*, to receive the Order of Canada, and to be bestowed with an honorary Doctorate from McMaster University.

He has influenced three generations of Aboriginal artists.

* His solo show at the NGC is historic and heralded the "breaking of the race-barrier" at this institution. The NGC holds many works of art by aboriginal people, including the largest collection of Inuit sculptures in Canada. However, they have traditionally not been seen as equal in artistic merit to European art. Even the works of African American artists and artists from Asia have been shown along side that of "European" (ie "white" artists) while Native artists and their works have been sidelined, more considered for anthropological value that their true artistic merit.

Even while Morrisseau was accepted as a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art, the National Gallery was deferring his art to the Museum of Civilization."

"Mudhooks"

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The author of this compilation placed several comments on "You Tube":

-"It is interesting that, despite it being a very simplistic style, there are only a few artists who are able to make it so powerful. Even in something as basic as a pair of baby birds, Norval managed to give them such personality and spirit." ;

-"Norval was the quintessential "self-destructive genius". On one hand, he was a self-taught master and a shaman with deep insight into the spiritual world of his people... on the other, an alcoholic who, at one point, lived on the streets selling doodles for a few dollars for booze. He always said that the alcohol gave him his visions...";

-"While he was living on the streets the CBC, I believe it was, did a documentary on his life and unfortunately chose to air a very degrading scene of him being hauled off the streets by his friends, pants falling off him, sick... it was offensive. I wrote a letter of protest saying that is was an indignity that no human being deserved when they chose to air that segment. I am still sickened by the callousness."

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Notes: 2nd painting (in video) has to be rotated 90 degrees CW while 42nd painting is to be mirrored about vertical axis to view correctly; 35th painting titled "Togetherness" (18"x15", 1978) is an original work of the renowned Anishnaabe artist Roy Thomas (1949-2004).

* "You Tube" presentation

* To view all "You Tube" presentations on the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG click HERE.

Norval Morrisseau and EXPO '67 (Part I)

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"The Indians of Canada bid you welcome.
Walk in our moccasins the trail from our past.
Live with us in the here and now.
Talk with us by the fire of the days to come."
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Visitors to the Indians of Canada Pavilion at Expo '67 were greeted and welcomed with the above sign. Montreal’s World’s Fair which coincided with Canada’s 100th birthday of Confederation hosted almost 100 foreign and local theme pavilions and is estimated to have attracted over 50 million visitors during the six months of operation. The fair was held from April 28 to October 27, 1967 on Ile. St. Helene and Ile Notre Dame.
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Note: The above painting on a cedar exterior wall of the Indians of Canada Pavilion was painted by Norval Morrisseau and his apprentice Carl Ray. On the bottom of the right hand corner Norval Morrisseau inscribed his dedication:
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"In honour
of my Grandfather Potan Nanakonagos
and to our Ancestors"
/Click on image to enlarge/
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Source:
- NORVAL MORRISSEAU AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE IMAGE MAKERS (page 22); ISBN: 0-458-97390-4, Art Gallery of Ontario, 1984 /Methuen Publications/;
- THE ART OF NORVAL MORRISSEAU (page 32) /Sinclair, Lister, Jack Pollock, and Norval Morrisseau/; ISBN: 0-458-93820-3 /Toronto, Ontario: Methuen, 1979./;
- THE MORRISSEAU PAPERS: "An Inside Story" (page 42); ISBN: 978-0-9731567-3-7, 2007 /Perdida Press/
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* The painting in this posting: "Earth Mother With Her Children"-Acrylic on cedar wood, 30ftx20ft, © 1967 Norval Morrisseau /It no longer exists/

Elizabeth McLuhan about Norval Morrisseau

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"Norval Morrisseau stands alone in his formal innovation and largeness of personal vision. He was the first Indian to study seriously and to update his own cultural beliefs and translate them visually for contemporary Indian and non-Indian audiences. In doing so he became the first Indian to break through the Canadian professional white-art barrier. His brilliance lies in his ability to break away from his own conventions, to constantly renew his vision."

Elizabeth McLuhan - a Curator of the Thunder Bay National Exhibition Centre and Centre for Indian Art, a public gallery devoted to contemporary Indjan art. Previously she spent seven years as Native Arts Consultant for the governmentof Ontario, and has worked at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary and the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. She holds an M.A. in Indian and Inuit Art History from the University of New Mexico, and has published many articles and organized exhibitions on Native art. She, also, is a committee member of the NORVAL MORRISSEAU HERITAGE SOCIETY (NMHS).

Source: NORVAL MORRISSEAU AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE IMAGE MAKERS; ISBN: 0-458-97390-4, Art Gallery of Ontario, 1984 /Methuen Publications/
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* Detailed information about the painting in this posting unknown: "Nature Communicates", © 1980 Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/

Mary E. (Beth) Southcott about Woodland/Anishinaabe School of Art

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"When the history of the twentieth century art in North America is written, no chapter will be more dramat­ic or significant than that of the Anishnabe painters, the aboriginal people of the Great Canadian Shield. In the 1950's when it appeared that their culture was on the verge of being extinguished by the onslaught of the "white" civilization, there was a move by several individuals to preserve the ancient oral traditions by recording them in writing and in art. In so doing, the artist's developed a unique style, indigenous, distinctive, graphic, with a rare potential for narrative and an innate primitive beauty. By the very act of depicting legends, the artists defied cen­turies of taboos, and many interesting sociological events followed: a shift in the roles of shaman /artist/ hunter occurred in the Anishnabe culture; the art became a seminal force in a revitalization movement; and the entire Ojibway Nation, a people heretofore overlooked by the mainstream of history, was thrust suddenly into the spot­light glare of an art-loving public."

Mary E. (Beth) Southcott

/"The Sound of the Drum: : The Sacred Art of the Anishnabec"; ISBN: 0919822649/


* Detailed information about the painting in this posting unknown: "Nature's Family", © c. 1990s Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/