Spiritual Paintings of Norval Morrisseau (Part II)

-
- 1970's PERIOD
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
"Spiritual Protector", © 1976 Norval Morrisseau
-
-
This painting represents Shaman's spiritual protection by Sacred Thunderbird and Sacred Medicine Bear in unity of the spirits of Land and Sky. Two Shamans represented could represent a Shaman through different stages of spiritual development. Green and brown colours represent blessings of Mother Earth and interconnecting power lines represent Circle of Life but it could also represent interdependency among the Four Orders of Creation while yellow colour represents everlasting presence of the Creator.
-
Four division circles represent four cardinal directions but it could also represent the Four Seasons or the Human Cycle of Infancy, Youth, Adulthood and Old Age. Division circle itself represents all dualities of the world: good and evil, man and woman, day and night, weak and strong etc.
-
Seven birds (artist's spiritual talismans) represent SEVEN TEACHING OF THE SEVEN GRANDFATHERS: WISDOM (NBWAAKSKAWIN), LOVE (ZAAGIDWIN), RESPECT (MNAADENDMOWIN), BRAVERY (GAKDEKEWIN), HONESTY ( GWEKWAADZIWIN), HUMILITY ( DBAADENDIZIN) and TRUTH ( DEBWEWIN). Seven birds could give even deeper meaning and importance of this painting by representing TEACHINGS OF THE SEVEN PROPHETS: THE SEVEN FIRES.
-
Even this painting representing mainly elements of the Ojibway spirituality transferred to Norval Morrisseau by his maternal grandfather Moses (Potan) Nanakonagos there is also an element of Catholic influences introduced to him by his maternal grandmother Vernique Nanakonagos in form of the background painting execution style that resembles Catholic Church stain glass windows.
-
It is important to mention that more complex and important pieces of Norval Morrisseau's art hide many messages awaiting to be discovered by current and future generations of Canadians and humans alike.
-
Spirit Walker
-
Note: There is no any specific way to describe the Art of Norval Morrisseau. The description included herein is just one way of experiencing his art. His art can be experienced in so many different ways depending of the subject matter and the knowledge and spiritual inspiration of the viewer.
-
"This is 279th posting of the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG that have been living for the last 9 months and having more than 11,000 unique visitors in the last 5 months." THANK YOU ALL FOR VISITING THE BLOG & EXPERIENCING COMPLEX LIFE, BODY OF WORK AND CONTROVERSIES OF THE GREAT COPPER THUNDERBIRD a.k.a. NORVAL MORRISSEAU.
-
Reference posting: Spiritual Paintings of Norval Morrisseau (Part I)
-
-
* The painting in this posting: "Spiritual Protector", 49"x61", © 1976 Norval Morrisseau /Private Collection/