Saturday, September 20, 2008

ART AS A MEETING PLACE

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by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean
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Norval Morrisseau's daughters Lisa and Victoria in attendance at the unveiling of "Androgyny" at The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) in the Rideau Hall Ballroom on September 18th, 2008 - Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
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"Less than one year ago, in December 2007, we lost Norval Morrisseau, one of the most remarkable Canadian painters of the last 50 years. A source of inspiration to generations of -
-artists and of pride for Canadians, his work is celebrated beyond our borders for its singularity and its powerful impact. Morrisseau was a passionate interpreter of the myths and legends of the Obijway nation. In his famous, coloured dreams, he illustrates indigenous stories and gives them new life, and a foundation and relevance in the heart of today’s realities, showing us their undeniable, universal significance.
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Last March, when I went to see the National Gallery of Canada exhibition dedicated to the recipients of the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts, I also went through a gallery with an incredible selection of works by Norval Morrisseau. I was struck by one piece in particular, a striking, luminous and monumental painting of staggering vivacity that Morrisseau donated to the people of Canada in 1983 through the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s Indian and Inuit Art Centre.
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The title itself, Androgyny, is an invitation to dive into the vision he had of the fusion of beings and elements, the harmony that exists between people, the complementarity of the meeting of civilizations. (Art guides us through the opaqueness of life; this gives it power and makes it essential.) Morrisseau the shaman travels between different worlds to ward off fate and adversity. With Androgyny, he invites us to join the conversation and shows us that when One unites with Other, they become One.
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The time has come to return Jean Paul Lemieux’s Charlottetown Revisited to the Confederation Centre of the Arts. It has been on loan to us for two years and I had it installed in the Rideau Hall Ballroom, where we hold ceremonies and public events. It is now Androgyny’s turn to become one of the most visible paintings in the country. It will speak eloquently of our strong ties with the First Nations, those who have our deepest roots in Canada.
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Our decision to exhibit this painting takes into account a recommendation made by a participant at the national Art Matters forum held in Banff last April, that is, that we support the capacity of First Nations artists and communities to create, produce, distribute and participate fully and fairly in the arts community. The installation at Rideau Hall of an imposing piece bequeathed to us by one of Canada’s greatest artists speaks loudly of the presence of Aboriginal peoples, of their priceless contribution to our culture, and of the meeting of civilizations so prevalent in our history."
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Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada
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Source: RIDEAU HALL BLOG @ www.citizenvoices.gg.ca
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© 2008 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to see Norval's daughters in front of "Androgyny", also very poignant looking further down this blog to see Norval himself, beret and all, in front of this "stained glass like" masterpiece, so dignified - the "Picasso of the North."

The Rideau Hall ballroom seems a magnificent place to display such proud Canadian history.

Thank you Spirit Walker for continuing to both honour Norval's legacy and to educate, we, the public.

Your committment, passion, hard work and courage is most admirable.

20 September, 2008 13:23
Stardreamer said...

Morrisseau donated this painting to the people of Canada at a time when he received no support to speak of from Canada. Few know that he died in poverty. And yet here is "Androgyny", exhibited in a golden room that drips with money and power. Many people say that Morrisseau was one of Canada's greatest artists. To some of us, there is no comparison. He is one of the World's great masters. Prolific, significant, dynamic, always interesting, flamboyant, tortured by love, a seeker of deep truths, weak as a kitten and strong as a bear. A profound human being who has coloured our world with insight and energy.

The last years of his life he passionately used every penny he earned to buy and store items for his "Museum" that he dreamed would one day be built in Winnipeg. "The centre of the Universe as far as Indians are concerned" he would say. He started a trust fund to make sure it would happen yet today I watch the artifacts and paintings he so desperately fought to gather for the next generations being frittered away and it breaks my heart.

Androgyny is a lesson from Morrisseau to Canada. Don't ignore your sources of inspiration even if they are dressed in rags. We are all one in Spirit.

->>> Stardreamer

23 September, 2008 21:16

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