NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG: Morrisseau History Detective Stories (Part IV)

Friday, April 3, 2009

Morrisseau History Detective Stories (Part IV)

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>>> NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG & Protecting the Legacy of Norval Morrisseau continues...
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~ Wash background possibly painted by Ritchie 'Stardreamer' Sinclair (click HERE & HERE for comparison purposes) /Click on image to Enlarge/

NOTE: NORVAL MORRISSEAU DID NOT SIGN FRONT OF THE PAINTING WITH CREE SYLLABICS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE DID NOT HAVE A SPACE FOR IT!!! (Click HERE for another example of Norval Morrisseau not signing front of the canvas as previously presented on this blog).

~ Inscription on the reverse side: signature in English, title, year & © symbol
/Click on image to Enlarge/

There are many statements by Ritchie 'Stardreamer' Sinclair, Coghlan Art Studio & Gallery and Kinsman Robinson Galleries regarding the issue that Norval Morrisseau rarely ever signed and dated backs of the artworks.
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The following are samples of their statements:
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>>> Mr. Ritchie 'Stardreamer' Sinclair, who claims to be a long time protege of Norval Morrisseau, said: "I painted with Norval in the 70's, 80's and 90's. I never once saw him sign the back of canvases in black paint. From time to time he would title or sign a painting on the back with pen, pencil and even marker. I'd also like to point out that the "drybrush" look was abhorant to Norval. Instead he required just the right fluidity to his black paint because it was the colour he did "lining" with.
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"Furthermore, I find it absurd that Norval would paint the year on the back of these paintings. He never knew what day, month or year it was, or needed to. Prints required dates, paintings didn't. Everyone who knows Norval knew that it was like 'pulling teeth' to get him to title a painting."
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(click HERE to read this full comment by Ritchie 'Stardreamer' Sinclair in its original context or view screen capture of his statement by clicking HERE).

>>> Mr. Bryant Ross, who is the gallery director of the Coghlan Art Studio & Gallery, said: "It is a fact that I worked with Morrisseau for over 20 years. During this time I received 100s of paintings directly from him. Not one was signed, dated or titled on the back."

(click HERE to read this full comment by Mr. Bryant Ross in its original context).
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>>> Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Principal Morrisseau dealer, said: "In twenty-eight years of dealing in Morrisseau's art, I observed that Norval had rarely written anything on the back of any canvas, but when he did, it was always in pencil or ballpoint pen - never in black paint."...

... Further they say; "And, generally speaking, he didn't title his paintings on the front - rarely on the back side either."

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(click HERE & HERE to view screen captures of the KRG's statements).

Note: Their blog genuinemorrisseau.blogspot.com deleted on 06/26/2009.
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>>> The following paintings are sold at Ritchies Auctioneers and both are signed in syllabics on front and titled and dated on reverse - both having provenance leading to the Kinsman Robinson Galleries...-

/You will find these paintings at Ritchies Auctioneers' online archive if you click HERE/

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"Journey on a Dream", 42"x62", © 1990 Norval Morrisseau

~ Signed in syllabics; titled and indistinctly described on the reverse; acrylic on canvas /Click on image to view screen capture of detailed description of the art piece sold at Ritchies Auctioneers/

Provenance:

Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto /Inventory No.:NM99389/

Private Collection, Vancouver
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"Sea Otter Find Salmon", 56"x25", © 1990 Norval Morrisseau
~ Signed in syllabics; titled and dated "1990" on the canvas on the reverse; acrylic on canvas /Click on image to view screen capture of detailed description of the art piece sold at Ritchies Auctioneers/

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Provenance:
Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto
Private Collection, Vancouver

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>>> BLOG MASTER'S COMMENT:

"This 'conspiracy' which have involved Norval Morrisseau's art have been caused by individuals and galleries who/which were closely associated with the artist. These few people began spreading 'false statements' that paintings of a certain style were not done by Norval Morrisseau's hand and that Norval Morrisseau rarely ever signed and dated backs of his artworks.

They have been trying unsuccessfully 'to harness' the secondary market by slandering 'one of Norval Morrisseau's greatest periods of art' which either came out in the late 1960's, 1970's and early 1980's. They mentioned in their 'last major publication' that 1980's were turbulent years for Norval Morrisseau and that his productive life was seriously interrupted by bouts of desctructive alcoholism causing his artistic productivity to be 'next-to-nothing' during these periods - to further their agenda of 'selling later Morrisseau period art' predominantly coming from the late 1980's and 1990's which they hold large inventory stock.

By discrediting this large body of work done by the late Norval Morrisseau shows us all that a great 'disrespect' to the artist and his legacy has occured and 'their actions cannot be tolerated'. Legal actions are well underway with positive outcomes to be anticipated soon."
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>>> INVITATION TO ALL READERS:

There are many of you who possess important valuable information such as paintings, photographs and other printed/written materials which will greatly assist our common goal. I urge you to provide this information to me for public record. Norval Morrisseau has become one of Canada's greatest all time artists and is recognized for his importance Worldwide.
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Your assistance is needed now! Your actions will greatly benefit your art as an investment and safeguard Norval Morrisseau's Legacy.
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Meegwetch,
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Spirit Walker

/spiritwalker2008@gmail.com/
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