The real Spirit Walker is standing up!

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From left to right: Ugo Matulić a.k.a. Spirit Walker with his brother Jakša after the screening of one of the "Winnetou" films; Omiš, Croatia - July 1966
~ Source: An Unofficial Website of Omiš, Croatia at www.almissa.com
/Click on image to Enlarge/


It is encouraging to see that some positive action is finally being taken to solve the 'induced' counterfeit scare that this blog has attempted to bring into proper perspective. This has been the concern of many collectors, including myself, who invested in Norval Morriseau paintings over the years. If you count the number of comments the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG received and reviewed on this subject since its inception (note date), you will see this blog concentrated only on the research and educational approach to this exaggerated problem. But before a final solution can be reached about this controversy/conspiracy, that has been pushed to the forefront on some blogs, those concerned have to identify the problem before a solution can be found. This requires a team effort and not an attempt to monopolize the Norval Morrisseau market as appears to be the primary aim of some major players.

So let's start with the Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Kinsman Robinson Galleries' blog* comment under the title "Will the real Spirit Walker please stand up? (click HERE to view screen capture of the original post with all pertaining comments)." If you read the text under that heading and ignore the racist slant that is, in a sense disparaging to all Canadian immigrants, including the Governor General of Canada, one would get a feeling that to appreciate Canadian native art a person has to be either a native Canadian or Canadian born. Since Spirit Walker doesn't have to qualify by birth to run for the highest government office, or enjoy art in Canada, I found the pointed remarks in the KRG blog of May 7, 2008 disgusting and 'racist' in the true meaning of the words. I could expand at length of how surprised I was to read this 'expose' of Spirit Walker and could only assume that KRG were primarily interested seeking a Norval Morrisseau art monopoly even if it meant destroying another blog. Also one that would go to any length to eliminate any opinion that might differ from theirs about what is an authentic Norval Morrisseau art.

Yes! I was foreign born. In Croatia to be exact. But as a child I saw, and continue to see, the Indians of North America as members of an outstanding race. My favourite childhood memory was the time when 'spagetti western' movies were filmed in Croatia (then part of Yugoslavia) and as a memento from that time were countless memories and a photograph presented above. When I emigrated to Canada my aim was to become a true Canadian and contribute to the advancement of this outstanding country. I also wanted to advance the cause of the First Nations Citizens. The best way I could do this appeared through advancing the cause of native art. Researching the background of native artists and their lives has shown the adversity these artists had to overcome to become recognized. Some wonderful people emerged through this research, as did the hardships the art goddess imposed on many of these talented artists.

I could go on and on about the sniping that emanated from KRG and associated blogs. The insidious manner in the way this was done was sad because it used a combination of rumours, misinformation and lackeys to achieve this end . Typical of the latter was the Richie 'Stardreamer' Sinclair's effort. All friendship at first and then an 'expose' based on misinformation. Then the filthy language comments from another claimed 'apprentice' from the West Coast that I couldn't print. But at least it didn't have a racist slant. Now KRG is introducing a questionable confession by Christian Morrisseau indicating how his father signed false Certificates of Authenticity (click HERE to view screen capture of the original post with all pertaining comments). How a son can accuse his father of a criminal act when he isn't alive to defend himself? Is it a ploy of desperation on the part of KRG... must add, 'and associates' to ensure there is a discrediting conspiracy?

Now it seems that there is a chance of progress in the Morrisseau counterfeit and other authentication problems by the decision of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society. The KRG blog of March 4, 2009, indicated that Elizabeth McLuhan has taken up the task to catalogue the life's work of Norval Morrisseau (click HERE). This is daunting task for Dr. McLuhan and the rest of the NMHS. I for one wish them well. To produce such a catalogue without the assistance of commercial art studios will be difficult. More so not to be influenced by some of the major ones. But just starting this daunting task is a step forward and one that all native artists and native art enthusiasts will welcome.

Back to the lead in quote, "The real Spirit Walker is standing up", I was surprised, and gratified, when an old and long time friend of Norval Morrisseau emailed me to apologize for the May 7, 2008 'expose' on the KRG's blog. He indicated that he didn't agree with everything that I printed, and was shocked at the KRG's racist comment. He felt KRG didn't mean to be racist and were likely carried away with whatever triggered their 'expose'. He went a step further to indicate that there were a lot of people following the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG and learning a lot about native art and history from it. He also praised some of the people that helped Norval Morriseau during his lifetime, indicating that Gabor and Michele Vadas hadn't received the credit due for helping to extend his artistic life at least 20 years beyond general expectations. I didn't fully agree with him on that comment but will post it anyway. So there you have my latest feeling and fear that there is something going on to exclude everyone from the Morrisseau heritage canvas except a certain Principal Morrisseau Dealer.

Meegwetch,

Spirit Walker
/spiritwalker2008@gmail.com/





* - Genuine Morrisseau from KRG blog is an official blog of the Kinsman Robinson Galleries /Principal Morrisseau dealer - Representing Norval Morrisseau (1932-2007) and his artwork over the last twenty years./


>>> Reference postings:
- Others about NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG (Part I),
- Norval Morrisseau's Certificate of Authenticity (Part I),
- Norval Morrisseau's Certificate of Authenticity (Part II),
- Norval Morrisseau's Certificate of Authenticity (Part III),
- Norval Morrisseau's Certificate of Authenticity (Part IV),
- Norval Morrisseau's Certificate of Authenticity (Part V),
- Norval Morrisseau's Certificate of Authenticity (Part VI),
- McLuhan shares memories of artist Norval Morrisseau &
- Will the real SpiritWalker please stand up?

~ As of May 10th, 2009 this post does not exist anymore due to its deletion by the KRG blog editors and on June 26, 2009 the blog has been deleted by the Kinsman Robinson Galleries. As of August 06, 2009 the blog has been reinstated but this time open to invited readers only!? (click HERE to view screen capture of the original post with all pertaining comments)

>>> The photograph of Ugo Matulić a.k.a. Spirit Walker with his brother Jakša was taken by the Indian totem in Radmanove Mlinice after the screening of one of the "Winnetou" films; Omiš, Croatia - July 1966.
~ Source: www.almissa.com /Ugo Matulić - Webmaster/

>>> Click HERE to view the above photograph in its original context
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