Tuesday, February 19, 2008

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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35 comments:

Spirit Walker said...

I would like to read an opinion of what Mr. Bryant Ross of Coghlan Art Studio and Gallery from Aldergrove, BC has to say of the quality of this set of paintings on paper.

Is quality of these pieces of art of Norval Morriseau questionable or not?

Do they have elements of the "questionable" paintings from the 1970s?

Also, I would like if others could express their opinion what they think of this set of paintings of Norval Morrisseau.

19 February, 2008 01:34
Anonymous said...

The paintings definitely have the Morrisseau touch but I would need to see and examine them closely before I could offer an opinion. I have know and worked with Norval for many years and have a feeling for his work into the 70s. That feeling decreases after that period, but it still functions when a questionable painting is viewed. Norval, like most primitives, had certain painting habits that decreased as he advance his techniques, but they are still there. The paintings shown by spirit walker look authentic and are likely so, but I could only give my opinion if I were to examine them carefully.

19 February, 2008 12:11
Anonymous said...

I feel that after examining the paintings on Morrisseau Blog they all show Norval's flair and grace. I must agree with Spirit Walker. The paintings brush strokes tell the story. His signature is the brush strokes and the was he applied the paint. Art is a opinion, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But a fine line is crossed when dealers and certain collectors start trashing others pieces and have articles written in national newspapers to discredit them. My personal thought is that alot of these galleries mentioned here in this blog seem to only believe that what they have is authentic and all others sell fakes. I want to take my hat off to the Blog Master who created this site! Norval would be proud of how you have carried on his name in true fashion. Please keep up the good work!

19 February, 2008 12:37
Anonymous said...

To Spirit Walker:

LET ART EXPERTS JUDGE IMPORTANCE

Unfortunately, you decided in advance and without adequate knowledge of the art market that your painting was important before consulting any experts, so feeling let down is understandable. You're not alone here, by the way-- people independently decide that they own highly important art all the time, without ever consulting art business professionals.

The problem these people create for themselves is that once they hear the truth about their art for the first time from a qualified professional, they either refuse to believe it or they waste years searching the world for an expert who'll eventually agree with them. Best procedure when evaluating any work of art that you own is to sit back, assume nothing, reserve judgement, and let the experts decide. Learning the facts is a lot less painful that way.

19 February, 2008 18:33
Spirit Walker said...

To Anonymous:

Presented paintings here are not from my personal collection and I do believe that they are originals.

For any other clarifications we'll just have to wait for the "experts"...

Thank you for your comment.

19 February, 2008 18:52
Spirit Walker said...

To "anonymous":

You wrote: "Unfortunately, you decided in advance and without adequate knowledge of the art market that your painting was important before consulting any experts..."

Where are those experts when nobody on the face of the Mother Earth is authorised to authenticate the Art of Norval Morrisseau?

Thanks.

19 February, 2008 19:21
Anonymous said...

To Spirit Walker:

Patience; Patience is the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset.

Remember that it was Norval Morrisseau who wisely set the mechanism in place while he was still alive-- "The Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society."

19 February, 2008 21:45
Spirit Walker said...

Thank You!

20 February, 2008 02:12
Anonymous said...

why will the owners of the questionable or undocumented works not register these painting with the NMHS? HMMMMMM.....
why will they not offer details of the previous owner or place of purchase? HMMMMMM.....
but rather defend their works on this blog? HMMMMMMM....
like it or not the NMHS is the only place to get any credibility, it will take time. to all who are so confident that they own originals, whats the risk of not submitting? I make no comment on the authenticity of any work posted anywhere, but I do wonder....

20 February, 2008 13:41
Anonymous said...

spirit walker...if these paintings aren't yours and yours alone then why do we only see works from the same period on this blog? where are his paintings from the 60s, 80s, 90s etc...you sure seem biased to me...just my 2 cents worth...

20 February, 2008 15:18
Spirit Walker said...

To anonymous:

If you go through all of the posting you will see one painting from the 1960's and several from the 1980s. I admit that majority are from the 1970s - the dacade omitted by the galleries that state that paintings of that style from the 1970s are of the questionable quality.

As time passes by more paintings from other decades will be represented herein. Patience my friend.... patience.

20 February, 2008 15:50
Anonymous said...

Not associated with any gallery so I would appreciate that no one makes a claim that I am.

Kinsman Robinson currently has two paintings from the 1970's for sale. In past visits to the gallery I have also seen beautiful paintings from both the 60's and 70's for sale in the gallery. Although they do primarily focus on paintings from the 80's and 90's (which makes sense since they have represented him and his work during this period) they are not adverse to showing an early work that is to the artistic quality and standards that they view as being to their gallery standards. The 70's (or 60's) is not a decade that KRG has ignored completely.

Coghlan Gallery - same thing. Large majority of painting fromthe 80 and 90's but he often offers pieces fromthe 60's (check out his site today) and the 70's (check out his archive of Morrisseau paintings).

Both gallery have made a decision to represent what they believe in being quality pieces from this time period and have not omitted it completey.

20 February, 2008 16:11
Anonymous said...

if you live near Toronto and want to see a fantastic work from the 70s
go to the KRG and check out the "Sacred Frogs" 1971 (and others)
I have seen this work in person, and it's stunning. when you see it in person, you will know and feel that you are looking at a masterpiece by Norval Morrisseau.

20 February, 2008 16:27
Anonymous said...

KRG - do you view this Blog? I am sure you do. You should start an archive section of Morrisseau paintings that you have sold to demonstrated to the uneducated that in fact you do represent Morrisseau works from the 60's and 70's and demonstrate the artistic quality of these works.

I recently purchased one from the 60's. Did not hesitate for one second on it - had the provenance, the image, colour and so on....a painting of true quality. This was my first purchase at KRG. Have seen the frog painting as well as the beaver painting that are very impressive when you stand in front of them.

20 February, 2008 16:38
Anonymous said...

RE: the comments above which attribute credibility to NMHS -- check the postings under JUSTICE FOR MORRISSEAU elsewhere on this blog, which includes a letter from NMHS outlining their inability to do their job
KHVH

21 February, 2008 06:13
Anonymous said...

thanks for that lead...

i checked out the NMHS letter and they state "Kinsman-Robinson Gallery in Toronto is a trusted dealer of Norval Morrisseau's art"

that's all i need...now i know where to buy my first Morrisseau!

thank you spirit walker.

21 February, 2008 12:10
Anonymous said...

just checked the Coghlan web site, some new Morrisseau works are posted,they are all from the 90s. it appears that a work which was on the site for a while is also now marked sold?

21 February, 2008 15:52
Anonymous said...

forgot to add this to the above.
I would still be intrested in hearing from KRG regarding the Kahn auction details posted yesterday?

"always listening"

21 February, 2008 15:56
Anonymous said...

With reference to the continued references to the NMHS:
Further up in this blog we have the letter from the NMHS which states that “although able to do so”, the NMHS has authenticated NOT A SINGLE PIECE to this date. It is all very well to keep urging everyone to register with the NMHS, but quite simply: THE JOB IS NOT BEING DONE!! Who are the NMHS? These are people who, like all skilled successful people, have very busy personal timetables. Their work for NMHS is VOLUNTARY. IT IS NOT PAID FOR. It is not realistic for anyone to expect them to get on with the job in the forseeable future. To be brutally frank, we are looking at a timetable of 20+ YEARS – we are waiting, realistically, for the next generation of experts who will replace the aging current NMHS. If we want to speed up the timetable, the public must find the money to pay an expert to work full-time for NMHS. If we compare possible salaries with similarly qualified people elsewhere in the arts world, we are looking for someone who will be paid $120,000+ per year. Payroll costs for statutory expenses in Ontario run 27%, so add $32,400+. Our expert will probably need two office assistants. Add $75,000+ for payroll and $20,250+ for statutory payroll expenses. We will want them to have a modern office equipped with computers and with the latest in imaging technology, etc. Add $100,000 per year. Our minimum budget is now $347,650 per year. Who’s going to pay? Well, the people who own Morrisseau work will be the ones who benefit by getting proper registration and credentials – they should pay. The estimated current market value of the entire Morrisseau life-time work is about $300 MILLION, and since the artist has passed on, expect that to increase at about 20 % per year for a decade, then level off to the rate of inflation. If everyone who owns a Morrisseau pays a voluntary tax of $1.16 per $1000 of appraised value, we will more than meet our budget.
I am writing out a cheque for $46.40 right now for my tax to get the ball rolling.
Who is going to be next?
It is NOT so very well to keep harping on sending things to NMHS. Somebody has to pay for this service, and it ought not to be our already over-loaded government – it ought to be the people who benefit.
O.K., who’s next?
Karl H. von Harten

21 February, 2008 20:40
Anonymous said...

these works are very similar to some works I saw recently at the art world of Sherway in the west end of Toronto, have others had a chance to visit this gallery?
they also have several other work's by Norval.

21 February, 2008 21:24
Anonymous said...

I have already offered $50.00 to have the paint chip checked, I have no issue in putting in another $50 for the NMHS.
ps I don't even own a Morrisseau of any kind, just love art..
I'm ready..

21 February, 2008 22:28
Anonymous said...

thanks for that lead...

"I checked out the NMHS letter and they state "Kinsman-Robinson Gallery in Toronto is a trusted dealer of Norval Morrisseau's art"

that's all i need...now i know where to buy my first Morrisseau!

thank you spirit walker."

My comment:
I went to the Kinsman Robinson Gallery on February 20 2007 and I asked the guy there if they could authenticate my pieces and he said that they "NO LONGER DO THIS KIND OF WORK ANYMORE!" and that I should go to the NMHS to do it.When I pointed out to him that the NMHS had not even authenticated the 1700 pieces they have collected in their catalogue reissone he just shrugged his shoulders and twittled his thumbs at me and said that Kinsman Robinson Gallery got out of authenticating business for out of fear with litigation? He did say that they did it for 17 years though in the past?

ThunderBear888
eBay Vendor
ThunderBear-Canadian Art Gallery
email:bluenova999@rogers.com
Michael R.Moniz

22 February, 2008 02:03
Anonymous said...

they may no longer authenticate, but should anyone want to sell or consign a Morrisseau to KRG, i suspect that they would have no problem taking the piece if they felt comfortable it was authentic?
I'm sure they would also have no problem passing on others?
the problem seems to be that people "want it now" that is not how things work, it took Morrisseau some 40+ years to create and I would think it may take that long to register and create the catalogue. Like many others I hope it would be sooner.
but to ask for or to suggest that we should set up a "new" forum to do the same work is absurd.this is why the history of a work of art is as important as the source you by it from. reputation and history are what makes art works easy to buy,sell or resell even if there is no official catalogue for the artist. HISTORY and REPUTATION.
I'm still waiting to hear from KRG in regards to the Kahn auction details in a post a few days ago. all details are important.

C.T.

22 February, 2008 08:49
Anonymous said...

Lets stop kidding ourselves...KRG most likely keeps tabs on this blog but I can guarantee you that they are not going to add a response that can be accredited to them. I am sure they have been adding comments using various nicknames and anonymous.

I could be wrong (according to my wife I often am but that is likely a topic for another blog!)

22 February, 2008 11:17
Anonymous said...

To C.T.: I don't think anyone is advocating the setting up of another authenticating system, although I should point out that creating a catalogue raisonne is an academic pursuit not limited to one person or group -- and there are several groups in the process of doing a Morrisseau CR. What I and others have advocated on the blog is upping the pace of the NMHS by paying one of the professionals to go full-time. As well, this blog is serving that purpose to some extent -- paintings can be posted for specific public learned commentary by the experts. On the other question you've posted; the Globe keeps stalling the actual trial date, but it will be posted here when it's eventually set.
KHVH

22 February, 2008 13:40
Anonymous said...

Hi C.T. here
thanks for the post above.it may have to come to that, I agree that it may be worth having someone work full time as you stated.
this should be supervised by someone with no connection to either side in this blog, gallery or the NMHS.
I'm sure that there are many wealthy owners and supporters of the arts who could assist in donating some funds to get started.
there is no one answer to this issue.
but to at least start is better than to wait and do nothing.
I fully support the fulltime research, unfortunatly my contribution would be limited to the occasional round of Tim Horton's .
thanks and keep on posting, as I think much has happened already in the last few days.
now it's up to those with real intrests and resources to step in with no alterior motives.
thanks to ALL who post.

22 February, 2008 14:51
Anonymous said...

Coghlan art has some very recent pieces posted on their site - I can guarantee you 100% Norval did not do them alone - he most certainly had help - does this mean they are fakes?

22 February, 2008 17:29
Anonymous said...

I am sure KRG has sold a few fakes unknowingly as well - Norval himself has authenticated fakes just to get the cash

22 February, 2008 17:39
Anonymous said...

C.T. here, again.

good point. he also sold some very very ugly work while on the skids in east Van. which brings up a point, could some of the works which are immediatly called fakes by some, just be the very very ugly?

22 February, 2008 22:20
Anonymous said...

C.T. again.
I personally want to take a break here and note that passions run high as we all share details questions and accusations.
I for one do give credit to the blog master for giving us all the forum to discuss these issues.
blogs serve a valuable service for many, and the discussions are always important.
this blog clearly shows that this incredible artist and Shaman has profoundly touched many.
I take this opportunity to post, as I have re-read some of my comments, at times sarcastic or blunt, I do seek the truth as do others.
I again stress I am not on one side or the other.

22 February, 2008 22:32
Anonymous said...

RE: KRG FAKES (above)
Especially if you include every one of the post-1994 paintings which were actually painted by Gabe?
KHVH

23 February, 2008 00:10
Anonymous said...

C.T.
can you tell us what makes you think its Gabe? how do you know?

23 February, 2008 12:49
Anonymous said...

Presume Karl has moved on...anyone else have any thoughts on his comment made above - first I have heard of this. When exactly did Norval stop painting and is this documented or speculation?

26 February, 2008 15:59
Spirit Walker said...

Norval stopped painting altogether in 2002.

26 February, 2008 16:02
Anonymous said...

Why would others say earlier and that all paintings after 1994 were done by Gabe or with assistance of Gabe or another painter?

I am not questioning your statement SpiritWalker but how do you know it was 2002. I am an collector that has stayed away from more current pieces (that I do like) out of concern around when he stopped painting. I only am looking for some insight from people who know more then me to help educate me to perhaps actually make a purchase.

26 February, 2008 16:16

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