Thursday, November 12, 2020

Thirteen Years of Research on the Great Canadian Indigenous/Anishinaabe Painter Norval Morrisseau a.k.a. Copper Thunderbird


~ Blog Master's Public Address
   
Kinsman Robinson Galleries vs. Ugo Matulic /CV-10-417123/



Ugo Matulic in front of Kinsman Robinson Galleries, February 2013




> On December 23rd, 2010 Kinsman Robinson Galleries launched $1,000,000 SLAPP suit against me intended to interfere with my right to freedom of expression (see BELOW for my Statement of Defence).

Plaintiffs signed the Full and Final Release on May 16th, 2013 dropping all charges against me as soon as the judgement by Judge Paul J. Martial in Hatfield vs. Artworld of Sherway was announced... contrary to what was stated for a reason on Kinsman Robinson Galleries' blog: "Our decision to agree to this settlement was made in order to end the ongoing distraction and cost of a complex litigation process." (click HERE or HERE). 

This means that I would be totally free to write as before, about Donald Robinson, Paul Robinson, John MacGregor Newman, and Kinsman Robinson Galleries, as their activities relate to the Hoax of the so-called “fakes” they allege.

"I was in the process of submitting a long list of documents they would be required to produce that they have hidden from public scrutiny for the past 13 years. And they knew that is what they would have to reveal. Also financial documents, which actually show their profits went up from the Hoax, and not down from my revelations."

For background information on this SLAPP suit by Kinsman Robinson Galleries and reasons behind it click HERE.



Anti-SLAPP law passed – Protection of Public Participation Act, 2015

--------------------------------------------------------------

"On the other hand, there are those dealers - including Joseph McLeod and collectors like Ugo Matulic and Joseph Otavnik - who believe that the issue of fakes is really a non-issue, a trumped-up conspiracy by Kinsman Robinson and Gabe Vadas to corner the market."

Armand Garnet Ruffo (NORVAL MORRISSEAU 'Man Changing into Thunderbird, 2014; Page 290)

--------------------------------------------------------------

 The Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society

"In 2005, two years before he died of Parkinson-related disease, the artist launched the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS) to compile a catalogue raisonné of his oeuvre. The Art Dealers Association of Canada backed the organization, acknowledging it as “the sole authority for the authentication of works by Norval Morrisseau” in 2007. But NMHS has been bitterly contested by others, including Morrisseau collector Ugo Matulić (a.k.a. Spirit Walker). He says the artist was far too affected by dementia at the time to be able to set up such a body."

 Coline Milliard,

--------------------------------------------------------------


>>> The Norval Morrisseau Blog is an educational initiative dedicated to the promotion of one of Canada’s most renowned Aboriginal artists and creation of a digital archive to honour the legacy of his life’s work.

We have published more than 2,690 posts, thousands of pictures, hundreds of documents (e.g. accredited professional Forensic Document Examiner's reports), related to the art of Norval Morrisseau, so that people around the world who regularly view our blog - museum curators, archivists, fine art collectors, academics, educators, and admirers of fine art - can have a better understanding and appreciation of the long career and singular achievements of this landmark Canadian artist, who was hailed as a “genius” at the very first exhibition he ever held at The Pollock Gallery in September 1962.

Norval was also the most prolific artist in world history, having produced well over 23,000 original artworks. We dedicate this blog to the loyal Norval Morrisseau collectors around the world who represent a legion of collectors outnumbering more than any other leading artist. We are thankful for the tremendous support our educational blog has garnered from countless Morrisseau fans around the world.

We will not be deterred from our single-minded effort to continue to publish the information of the artistic record of this great painter, and we will continue pursuing our mission of seeking justice for Norval Morrisseau and his art, which is a vital aspect of Canada’s heritage.

Thank you/Hvala/Miigwetch,

Ugo Matulić
spiritwalker2008@gmail.com

-

-


--------------------------------------------------------------

>> IMPORTANT LEGAL UPDATE <<
Protection of Public Participation Act, 2015

"The Ontario law, enacted on November 3rd, 2015, creates a fast-track review that allows judges to identify and deal with SLAPPs expeditiously. It creates a procedure that attempts to balance a plaintiff’s right to bring a legal action with a defendant’s right to free expression.

A plaintiff must convince a court that the case has substantial merit and that the alleged harm caused by a defendant is, in the words of the act, “sufficiently serious that the public interest in permitting the proceeding to continue outweighs the public interest in protecting that expression.”
~ Julius Melnitzer , December 2nd, 2015


Source: Corporate litigators get ready for Ontario’s new anti-SLAPP legislation /Financial Post/


"Canadian attorney Derek J. Bell thinks the PPPA (The Protection of Public Participation Act) could have some “real teeth.” If a defendant in a potential SLAPP suit invokes the PPPA, the court must hear the defendant’s motion within 60 days, during which time all other activity in the case is suspended. If the court rules that the case is a SLAPP suit, the defendants could get more than court costs on the motion, up to “full indemnity” on the entire SLAPP action itself, and potentially even require the initiator of the SLAPP suit to pay damages."
~ Rick Cohen , November 11th, 2015

Source: Canada Restricting SLAPP Suits but First in Personal Freedom: What’s the Connection? /NPQ/


--------------------------------------------------------------

Filed in The Superior Court of Justice – Ontario on September 22nd, 2011


SLAPP SUIT WON BY THE DEFENDANT !
>>> To learn more about this lawsuit and reasons behind it, I strongly recommend reading this STATEMENT OF DEFENCE And click HERE for the Blog Master's Public Address... 


Court File No. CV-10-417123

ONTARIO SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE

BETWEEN:

TELE-CONNECT PUBLICATIONS LTD. C.O.B KINSMAN ROBINSON GALLERIES, DONALD ROBINSON AND PAUL ROBINSON

Plaintiff

and

UGO MATULIC

Defendant


STATEMENT OF DEFENCE

1.   Except as hereinafter specifically admitted, the Defendant, Ugo Matulic ("Matulic"), deny the allegations contained in paragraphs 5 to 16 of the Amended Statement of Claim ("ASOC") and denies that the Plaintiff is entitled to any of the relief claimed in paragraph 1 therein.

BACKGROUND

2.   Ugo Matulic ("Matulic") is the owner and author the Norval Morrisseau Blog located at http://norvalmorrisseau.blogspot.com/. He is also the owner of many pieces of original Norval Morrisseau artwork, acquired from reliable sources and sources with direct connections to the artist, that Matulic has collected over a decade. As stated in the banner on the Norval Morrisseau Blog:

"This Blog is posted in honour of the Spirit of Norval Morrisseau a.k.a. Copper Thunderbird - Grand Shaman of the Ojibway. Also, this is the first and the only Blog incepted during Norval Morrisseau's lifetime. It is dedicated entirely to the preservation of his artistic legacy along with the living presence of the Ojibway peoples on the North American continent."

3.   Since Matulic created his blog, the plaintiffs have been provoking and disparaging a very large number of pieces of Norval Morrisseau artwork not sold through or by the Kinsman Robinson Gallery, in a concerted effort to corner the public market in Norval Morrisseau's artwork owned by Matulic and others. The plaintiffs' smear campaign is directed in devaluing and stigmatizing the authentic artwork of the late Norval Morrisseau who passed away in 2007.

4.   The Plaintiffs have actively and deliberately taken action to corner the market in paintings by Norval Morrisseau. They are using their own position, as a former Morrisseau dealer, to inflate the value of their own holdings of Norval Morrisseau's paintings, and deflate the value of paintings held by Matulic, other Morrisseau collectors and art galleries all across Canada, by falsely claiming that many genuine Morrisseaus are forgeries, especially those signed on the back by the artist in black paint using drybrush (DB) technique. However several of these paintings have been positively confirmed for the signature authenticity by three independent forensic document examiners from Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary.

5.   The Plaintiffs along with other individuals have attacked Matulic's personal and professional reputation in an attempt to devalue paintings from Matulic's personal collection calling them forgeries and abominations.

6.   The Plaintiff, Kinsman Robinson Galleries, previously owned and used the domain name www.norvalmorrisseau.com. However, they did not pay the necessary domain name registration renewal fees and it was placed on the open market and Matulic purchased the domain name. Since then, Matulic has used the domain name and blog to honour the late great Canadian painter Norval Morrisseau. The plaintiffs have on several occasions tried to intimidate him and to portray him in negative light, thereby allowing other individuals to launch a number of character defamation attacks on him on the internet and other forms of media.

7.   All of the blog postings written by Matulic contain statements that are factually accurate or contain statements of opinion based upon accurate facts.

THE ACTION IS STATUTE BARRED

8.   The Plaintiffs failed to give written notice to Matulic of the alleged defamation within six weeks of the Postings coming to the Plaintiffs attention contrary to the requirements of s. 5 (1) of the Libel and Slander Act (the "Act") R.S.O. 1990, c. L.12. Furthermore, the Plaintiffs failed to commence this action within three months of the postings coming to their attention contrary to the requirements of s. 6 of the Act. This action is therefore statute-barred.

9.   In the alternative, Matulic pleads that the alleged defamatory statements, which are not admitted to be defamatory, but specifically are denied as such, were published on dates ranging from 2008 through to the present. However, the plaintiffs only commenced this action 3 years following the initial defamatory post as alleged in paragraph 5 of the ASOC. By a Response to a Demand for Particulars dated August 31, 2011, the Plaintiffs admitted that they each became aware of Matulic's blog posts within a month of the publication on the internet. Accordingly, Matulic pleads that the plaintiffs' action is time-barred and pleads and relies upon section 4 of the Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Schedule B.

10.   Matulic commenced his Blog almost four years ago following false statements made publicly by the Plaintiffs and other individuals who were closely associated with the Plaintiffs regarding the authenticity of many Norval Morrisseau's paintings which these individuals called 'questionable', 'fakes', 'forgeries', 'abominations' and other defamatory attributes. Matulic felt the need to create a platform that would speak for Norval Morrisseau when this privilege to speak for himself was put in the hands of others who were only interested in their personal financial gain all the while putting the Legacy of Norval Morrisseau aside.

11.   With respect to paragraph 9 of the ASOC, Matulic denies the allegations therein and put the Plaintiffs to the strict proof thereof. Matulic was only served with two Notices of Libel: the first being the Notice of Libel dated December 23, 2010 and the second being the Notice of Libel dated January 6, 2011. The Notice of Libel dated November 19, 2010 was received via e-mail by Plaintiffs' Lawyer on March 11, 2011 (the first time Matulic had received or seen the November 19, 2010 Notice Of Libel. The March 11,2011 letter from counsel for KRG stated the following:

"We have attempted, unsuccessfully, to serve you personally with our client's Statement of Claim which was recently issued in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. We have also sent you, over the past few months, various Notices of Libel, some of which have been returned to us. It appears as though you have received some, but not all, of our correspondence despite each of these documents being sent to the same address."

QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE

12.   Further, and in the alternative, the postings by Matulic were published in good faith and without malice on an occasion of qualified privilege, particulars of which occasion are as follows:

       (a) Matulic's Blog constituted a forum for fellow art enthusiasts, Norval Morrisseau supporters and others interested in his artwork to communicate with one another on those subjects.

       (b) Matulic had an interest or duty- legal, social or moral - to communicate the postings complained of in the ASOC to other persons accessing Matulic's Blog.

       (c) Other persons accessing Matulic's Blog had a corresponding duty or interest to receive the communications in the postings.

       (d) Matulic's Blog expressly invited comments from the Plaintiffs and other persons accessing his Blog.

FAIR COMMENT

13.   Further and in the alternative, the words complained of in the postings constitute fair comment by Matulic, on matters of public interest, based on the substantially true facts as set out this Statement of Defence ("SOD"). Matulic expressed those opinions in good faith and without malice.

PUBLIC INTEREST RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION

14.   Further and in the alternative, the postings constituted communications on matters of public interest and Matulic was diligent in trying to verify the statements made in the postings have regard to all relevant circumstances.

CHARTER IMMUNITY

15.   Freedom of expression is guaranteed by s. 2 (b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the "Charter"). It is essential to the proper functioning of the institutions of a democratic form of governance, including the institutions of the courts, the judiciary and an independent professional bar. The law should encourage and permit freewheeling debate in good faith on matters of public interest. The law should not be used to thwart such freewheeling debate by an overtly solicitous attempt to protect a private corporation such as one owned by the plaintiffs. The Matulic postings at issue in this action, demonstrate the vital importance of such a free-wheeling debate. In the particular circumstances of this case, the postings should benefit from constitutional immunity.

16.   The Plaintiffs have been associated with individuals who have been devaluating paintings from Matulic's personal collection calling them forgeries and abominations.

17.   The Plaintiffs were also involved in selling assisted artwork(s) without disclosing full history of the authorship of the said artwork(s) as to be fully painted by the artist.

18.   There are more than 40 galleries and various auction houses and museums across North America which have exhibited authentic Norval Morrisseau's artwork which the Plaintiffs consider fakes and they are in support of individuals who collectively deflated the value of paintings held by Matulic and other Norval Morrisseau collectors all across Canada, by falsely claiming that many genuine Norval Morrisseau's are fakes. [1]

[1] See http://norvalmorrisseau.blogspot.com/2011/07/morrisseaus-artwork-in-auction-houses.html

19.   The Plaintiffs' concerted campaign of online terror in the form of libel chill is a transparent attempt to monopolize the privileged sale of the Norval Morrisseau's artwork and to silence any of their critics.

20.   It is not Matulic's fault that his opinion of the Plaintiffs' actions has brought unwanted publicity, public hatred, ridicule and contempt by supporters of Norval Morrisseau. The Plaintiffs' actions have significantly devalued the art of great artist Norval Morrisseau.

21.   Contrary to the Plaintiffs' assertions, Mr. Joseph McLeod of Maslak McLeod Gallery, the other most prominent expert in Norval Morrisseau's art considers the paintings in question to be authentic.

NO DAMAGES

22.   Matulic denies that the Plaintiffs have suffered damages as alleged in the ASOC paragraphs 14 and 15 or at all as a result of the postings and puts the Plaintiffs to the strict proof of their allegations concerning damages.

DAMAGES IF ANY DUE TO ACTS AND OMISSIONS OF PLAINTIFFS

23.   If the Plaintiffs suffered any damages, which is not admitted but expressly denied, they are attributed to the acts and omissions of the Plaintiffs which failed to notify Matulic that is considered the postings to be defamatory. In this regard, Matulic also relies on the particulars of the Plaintiffs conduct provided in this SOD and the following additional facts:

       (a) The Plaintiffs did not at any time make any attempt to contact Matulic through the private messaging system, which was available at all times through his blog at http://norvalmorrisseau.blogspot.com/,
or in any other reasonable manner before the commencement of this litigation to notify Matulic of the Plaintiffs' complaint about the postings.

       (b) The Plaintiffs were aware of Matulic's Blog since its inception in November 2007.

NO BASIS FOR AGGRAVATED OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES

24.   Matulic specifically denies the allegation in the ASOC paragraph 5 that he was actuated by bad faith in "publishing/broadcasting" the words complained of in the ASOC subparagraph 5. Matulic honestly believed his words to be true and posted them in good faith and without malice and without gross negligence.

25.   The ASOC does not allege any material facts which would justify this Court in awarding either aggravated or punitive damages. In any event, the circumstances of this case do not warrant an award of either aggravated or punitive damages against Matulic.

26.   Further, and in the alternative, as a matter of law, a corporate plaintiff is not entitled to recover aggravated damages.

PLAINTIFFS FAILED TO MITIGATE DAMAGES

27.   The Plaintiffs made no attempt to notify Matulic in a timely way that the postings were considered by the Plaintiffs to be defamatory. Nor did the Plaintiffs ask Matulic to remove or modify the postings. No request was made for an apology.

THE ACTION AGAINST MATULIC IS AN ABUSE OF PROCESS

28.   Matulic therefore submits that this action constitutes an abuse of process and has been commenced with the vexatious attempt to deter Matulic from expressing his opinions, and as such, this is a strategic lawsuit against public participation intended to interfere with Matulic's right to freedom of expression.

29.   Matulic pleads and relies on sections 5,6,10,23 and 24 of the Libel and Slander Act and sections 1 and 2 (b) of the Charter.

RELIEF SOUGHT

30.   The Defendant, Ugo Matulic, asks that this action be dismissed with costs on a substantial-indemnity basis.

September 21,2011


STEINBERG MORTON HOPE & ISRAEL LLP
Barristers & Solicitors
5255 Yonge Street, Suite 1100
Toronto ON M2N6P4

Antonin I. Pribetic (34843S)

Tel: 416-225-2777416-225-2777
Fax: 416-225-7112

Lawyers for the Defendant


Filed in The Superior Court of Justice – Ontario on September 22nd, 2011
SLAPP SUIT WON BY THE DEFENDANT !
>>> To learn more about this lawsuit and reasons behind it, I strongly recommend reading the STATEMENT OF DEFENCE presented ABOVE and click HERE for the Blog Master's Public Address... 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT NOTE:


After nineteen years since National Post article by Murray Whyte "Morrisseau fakes alleged" /National Post, May 18th, 2001/, after three years of investigation by Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Thunder Bay Police Service and after seven court cases over the period of eleven years (see reference posts listed below) nobody has ever been successful in pointing out one case where it was proven that someone made, sold, distributed or even marketed one "FAKE" Norval Morrisseau painting.  
 >>> Reference posts:

 ~ In all of these court cases Forensic science have been used proving that paintings in question were signed by Norval Morrisseau and nobody else (click HERE).

* (**) - Both, Donald Robinson of Kinsman Robinson Galleries and his associate Ritchie Sinclair were discredited in this pivotal court case relevant to authenticity of Norval Morrisseau artworks (*) & excluded from testimonies (**)... click HERE & HERE.
>>> Reference posts:
- Chill & Kill /Courtesy of http://themorrisseauhoaxexposedblog.com/,
- Norval Morrisseau Conspiracy & Art Market Competition,
- Ugo Matulic wins $1,000,000 SLAPP suit against Kinsman Robinson Galleries (Part I), - THREAT OF LAWSUITS TRIGGERS BELATED CTV VIDEO & - "Famed tenor drops suit alleging art dealer sold him fake Morrisseau paintings" by James Adams.
-
Posted by at No comments:

COMING SOON: Sixteenth anniversary of signing of the affidavit which conveniently and mysteriously showed up on the internet shortly after the death of Norval Morrisseau

-
~ Exclusive Report /Previously presented material/~ 

"LOSING IN CANADA'S COURT SYSTEM?... NO WORRIES, MAKE A DOCUMENTARY!-

FILM REVIEW COMING SOON!
Jamie Kastner's “THERE ARE NO FAKES” 'documentary'
-
"SPIRIT ENERGY OF MOTHER EARTH HAS NOT BEEN PROVED TO BE A FORGED OR FAKE MORRISEAU. FROM THE LAW'S POINT OF VIEW, IT IS THEREFORE A REAL NORVAL MORRISSEAU PAINTING."
-
~ Justice Edward M. Morgan, May 24, 2018

FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER'S FINDINGS: 





















FORENSIC SCIENCE Vs. NORVAL MORRISSEAU SWORN AFFIDAVIT
/Click on image to Enlarge/

Genuine Norval Morrisseau "Untitled" Set on paper (1970) was compared with images listed on page 3 and shown on page 9 of Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavit. These artworks were allegedly labeled as "fakes and imitations" by Norval Morrisseau.

~ To see affidavit by Norval Morrisseau where he allegedly addressed paintings presented at  www.woodlandartgarybrucethacky.com (now www.woodlandartgallery.ca) owned by Mr. Gary Lamont, Thunder Bay, Ontario (click HERE; See page 3 & 9). This affidavit was signed by Norval Morrisseau SIXTEEN YEARS AGO on November 30th, 2004.

INTRODUCTION:

Critical scientific professional analysis has hit pay dirt once again! But leaves an agonizing conclusion that Norval Morrisseau, his manager Mr. Gabor Vadas and his wife Michele, were all in on a 'market conspiracy' to dismiss earlier works of art by the artist himself and to knock out the competition. Was Norval Morrisseau able to make any judgement for himself and that Mr. Vadas and his wife Michele acted on their own to take advantage of a frail man for their own personal gain? The affidavit was signed by Norval Morrisseau who was not of a sound mind and who supposedly made claim that artworks like these seven shown here in this post were not painted by him?!

These sworn affidavits allegedly signed in the presence of a Notary Public would conveniently and mysteriously show up on the internet shortly after the death of Norval Morrisseau who passed away on December 4th 2007.

The lineage of these seven paintings lead to an old time friend of Norval Morrisseau’s a Mr. Gary Lamont. Embarrassingly these seven paintings were included in a shoddy affidavit report maligning Mr. Lamont's collection of genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings as being forgeries?

If these affidavits had been delivered to Mr. Gary Lamont at the time Norval Morrisseau was alive; it would have set off an alarm and a quick discussion between Mr. Gary Lamont and Norval Morrisseau putting a quick end to this affidavit charade.
* This document was the last in a series of allegedly signed Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits which involve the following galleries and/or individuals:

1. Maslak McLeod Gallery, Toronto, Ontario (click HERE and HERE);
   /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on March 14th and April 24th, 2003/ 

2. Artworld of Sherway, Toronto, Ontario (click HERE);
   /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on September 22nd, 2004/ 

3. Gallery Sunami, North York, Ontario (click HERE); 
    /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004/ 

4. Bearclaw, Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta (click HERE); 
   /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on April 8th, 2005/ 

5. Randy Potter Auctions, Port Hope, Ontario (click HERE) &
    /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004/

6. Mr. Gary Lamont, Thunder Bay, Ontario (click HERE). 
  /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004/


FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER'S FINDINGS:

> The fourteen signatures written by pencil on front and painted with a dry brush (DB) technique on the verso of each of the above presented acrylic paintings on paper have been positively identified to have been authored by Canadian Anishinaabe/Woodland artist Norval Morrisseau. These discoveries were conducted and documented by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta). This report is dated July 29th, 2011.

>> This report has been generated for Ugo Matulić a.k.a. Spirit Walker of Calgary, Alberta and is the first in a series of Forensic Reports done by Mr. Davies analyzing the Signatures on artworks done by Norval Morrisseau.

Provenance: These paintings were acquired by Randy Potter of Port Hope, Ontario from Mr. David Voss of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Then these paintings were purchased by Mr. Joseph Otavnik of Oshawa, Ontario from Randy Potter Auction House in Port Hope. All seven paintings were traded to Mr. Gary Lamont of Thunder Bay, Ontario. All seven acylics on paper were later purchased by the Blog Master - Ugo Matulić and currently reside in his collection to this present day.


-~ Dated July 29th, 2011
/Click on image to Download/


> Forensic Report analysis /File No. 3442-1/ by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta).


BLOG MASTER'S COMMENTS:

 > In case of this Norval Morrisseau's signed affidavit dated November 30th, 2004 directed to Mr. Gary Lamont for the paintings presented at his www.woodlandartgallery.ca it had never been sent to Mr. Gary Lamont while Norval Morrisseau was alive because he only became aware of it in 2008.

 Mr. Lamont was involved in a pivotal Tax Court of Canada case relevant to cultural property donation program where Mr. Joseph McLeod of Maslak McLeod Gallery testified as a qualified expert witness for the Crown in Federal Court with respect to Norval Morrisseau's art [see Zelinski, Whent, Pustina v. The Queen, (No. 92-424)].


Norval Morrisseau and Gary Lamont,
Nanaimo  May 2005


> Mr. Gabor Vadas, his wife and Norval Morrisseau had many opportunities to deliver this affidavit to Mr. Gary Lamont including the time when Mr. Lamont visited Norval Morrisseau in Nanaimo, BC on May 18th, 2005 ( see image above). Mr. Gabor Vadas and his wife Michele did not have the decency to hand this affidavit to Mr. Gary Lamont and I do not believe they ever had intention to do so neither, and they 'conveniently' waited for Norval Morrisseau to die before exposing it to the public and consequently to Mr. Gary Lamont to prevent any kind of personal inquiry by Gary Lamont and Norval Morrisseau in regards to the affidavit's claim of 'art forgery'.

 > Also, I do not believe that even if Norval Morrisseau was of a sound mind that he would have ever presented such a statement about paintings listed in this sworn affidavit without expressing 'his' concerns to his very good friend Mr. Gary Lamont who is the owner of www.woodlandartgallery.ca.
Norval Morrisseau @ NMHS,
Toronto October 2005















> Only five months later Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS) was formed. Ms. Michele Vadas and her husband Mr. Gabor Vadas were there to convince members of the NMHS that genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings were actually forgeries.

See in this picture Gabor Vadas holding in his hands one of genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings while Mr. Greg Hill and Ms. Viviane Gray (not a member anymore) watching. Norval Morrisseau was also present at this NMHS charade.

Note: To confirm Mr. Greg Hill, Ms. Viviane Gray and Mr. Vadas being present in this picture compare it with smaller image also present (click on image to enlarge).

> The statement that listed images in Norval Morrisseau allegedly signed affidavit on November 30th, 2004 were "fakes and imitations" is even more to be questioned especially when the images included and excluded from this list are compared (see the findings below). 

FINDINGS:

When this sworn affidavit allegedly signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004 was analyzed I have found the following:

Figure 1 /Click on image to Enlarge/













1. This affidavit includes 48 paintings out of 84 (57%) as "fakes and imitations" (see image above).


Figure 2 /Click on image to Enlarge/








2. As Norval Morrisseau excluded 36 out of 84 paintings (43%) from the "fakes and imitations" list it is logical to conclude that he did not have any objections to them and we can consider them as "authentic works by Norval Morrisseau". Out of 36 paintings which were excluded from the "fakes and imitations" list 28 of them (78%) are executed in a typical 1970s style which are the paintings Mr. Gabor Vadas would consider forgeries, fakes or abominations (see image above).

>>> Norval Morrisseau more than two years prior to allegedly signing this affidavit on November 30th, 2004 he certified four of these paintings on April 11th, 2002 by signing Certificates of Authenticity (COA) for three authentic paintings which were excluded and one painting which he included in the "fakes and imitations" list (see Figure 1; 5th row - 4th image, from top to bottom - left to right & see Figure 2; 3rd row - 3rd & 4th image and 4th row - 7th image, all images from top to bottom - left to right OR to view the COAs  signed by the artist click HERE, HERE, HERE & HERE).

These were the paintings authenticated by Norval Morrisseau in a same session as the six genuine Morrisseau paintings which were forensically certified by Dr. Atul K. Singla - Full Time Forensic Document Examiner and Fingerprint Expert (click HERE).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In 2006, almost two years after this allegedly signed affidavit Mr. Gabor Vadas, his wife Michele together with Norval Morrisseau falsely and maliciously accused Mr. Gary Lamont's www.woodlandartgallery.com of containing 99.9% of fake Norval Morrisseau art (click HERE for the post on the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG and/or click on the image below to see the e-mail sent to Ms. Judy Scolnik of Heffel Auction House, Toronto, Ontario).

Considering that Mr. Lamont's website continued to present pretty much the same style of paintings as at a time Mr. Vadas and Michele Vadas e-mailed Ms. Scolnik it is impossible to believe that his website could possibly contain 99.9% of "fake Norval Morrisseau art" when only two years earlier, as per affidavit allegedly signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004, Mr. Lamont's website consisted of "only" 57% of supposed "fakes and imitations".
       



























Two genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings specifically addressed in this e-mail were actually consigned by Mr. Joseph Otavnik of Oshawa to Heffel Auction House in Toronto, Ontario (click HERE for an agreement signed on August 1st, 2006 and/or click HERE to view this important collage as a separate large resolution image).
  
- 















"Untitled" 55"x19" ea., © 1969 Norval Morrisseau
~ Paintings involved in a court case Otavnik Vs Vadas SC 07-51428-00
Source: Randy Potter Estate Auction, Port Hope, Ontario


In the same letter to Heffels, Mr. Gabor Vadas and his wife Michele called two more Mr. Joseph Otavnik paintings - "Untitled, 1969"; set of 2 - forgeries (see above). Mr. Otavnik sued Mr. Gabor Vadas, demanding he produce evidence of them being forgeries.

 It is strange that Mr. Vadas was not able to request the proof of non-authenticity from the artist himself (Norval Morrisseau) for these paintings in a court case 'Otavnik Vs Vadas SC 07-51428-00' which was filed on April 16th, 2007 (more than six months prior Norval Morrisseau's passsing into the spirit world) even when Mr. Otavnik requested, via Mr. Gabor Vadas, for Norval Morrisseau to evaluate the paintings in question - requests ignored by Gabor Vadas!?

Rather than face a judge with some kind of proof, the day before the trial, Mr. Gabor Vadas made an agreement to settle with Mr. Joseph Otavnik, offering some eye-popping stipulations.

Astonishingly, in a letter dated June 17, 2008, the Vadas lawyers agreed to pay Mr. Joseph Otavnik $11,000 (clearly labeled as “Purchase Funds” not for damages, libel, pay-offs, hush money, or bribes) to acquire the two paintings Vadas had told Heffels were forgeries.

The astonishing mystery only deepens because in the official Settlement Minutes of June 9, 2008, Vadas also demanded that Mr. Joseph Otavnik sign over all copyright ownership for the two paintings to him, as well as promise not to sue if the paintings turn out to be other than forgeries (click HERE for more information).

To download "Untitled, 1969" Forensic Report by Mr. Brian Lindblom (Ottawa, Ontario) dated March 13th, 2007 click HERE and/or click HERE for more information about this court case between Mr. Joseph Otavnik and Mr. Gabor Vadas.

Another painting Mr. Vadas and his wife Michele had denounced as a forgery – in a letter to Heffel Auction House in 2006 (click HERE) - was “Grandfather Speaks of Great Ancestral Warrior, 1977” owned by Mr. Joseph Otavnik and at one time owned by Dr. Jonathan Browne of Ottawa, Ontario.
 
However, “Grandfather Speaks of Great Ancestral Warrior 1977” was subsequently verified, on April 18, 2012, as a genuine Morrisseau, by another top international forensic and handwriting expert, Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta).

 

"Grandfather Speaks of Great Ancestral Warrior"
© 1977 Norval Morrisseau; Click HERE to view this canvas VERSO
/Click on image to Enlarge/ Source: Private Collection of Mr. Rolf Schnieders, Thunder Bay, Ontario


Mr. Davies concluded that signature on the reverse side of the "Grandfather Speaks of Great Ancestral Warrior, 1977" is a true signature of Norval Morrisseau.

To download 4th Summary Forensic Report by Mr. Kenneth J. Davies dated April 18th, 2012 click HERE.

NOTE: Together with "Grandfather Speaks of Great Ancestral Warrior, 1977"  Mr. Davies also evaluated and certified authentic the signatures of other genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings "Medicine Being fron Sacred Fish Stomach, 1977", "Shaman with Power Spirits, 1977" and painting on a used pizza box dated 1982.

The below painting was also labeled fake by Mr. Gabor Vadas and his associates.


-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 
-
-
-
-




Untitled" 58"x138", © 1979 Norval Morrisseau
/To view Norval Morrisseau posing in front of his artwork click on image to Enlarge. This painting on canvas was exhibited for sale at Nimkee Art Gallery (M'Chigeeng, Ontario) when Norval Morrisseau, accompanied by Mr. Gabor Vadas, stayed while visiting Manitoulin Island for ten days in September/October 1999./














"Untitled" 58"x138", © 1979 Norval Morrisseau
Source: Private Collection of Mr. Rolf Schnieders, Thunder Bay, Ontario

/Click on image to Enlarge and/or click HERE to view the signature signed with large letters in black dry brush paint on the face of the canvas/

* This painting has also be proven to be signed by Norval Morrisseau as per December 19, 2011  Forensic Report by Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)'. 

Below, Norval Morrisseau sits in front of another painting claimed as a forgery by Mr. Gabor Vadas and Mr. Ritchie Sinclair a.k.a. Stardreamer.



















Mr. Gabe Vadas proudly posing in front of "Arrangement of Underworld Spirits, 1980" with Norval Morrisseau and Blair Debassige /The Manitoulin Expositor/ at an eagle feather ceremony held on September 24, 1999 at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF); M'Chigeeng, Ontario. Hanging on the wall the genuine Norval Morrisseau painting "Arrangement of Underworld Spirits, 1980". This painting was appraised by Mr. Joseph McLeod of Maslak McLeod Gallery on March 11th, 2008. Mr. McLeod was, at the time of signing, a member of the Art Dealers Association of Canada (click HERE).
















"Arrangement of Underworld Spirits" 54"x68", © 1980 Norval MorrisseauSource: Private Collection of Mr. Rolf Schneiders, Thunder Bay, Ontario


 /Click on image to Enlarge and/or click HERE to view the signature signed with large letters in black dry brush paint on the canvas VERSO/

* This painting has also be proven to be signed by Norval Morrisseau as per December 19, 2011 Forensic Report by Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)'.


CLOSING STATEMENT:


















Mr. Gabor Vadas with his wife Michele in Nanaimo BC, 
September 2009; © Roberts Studios Inc. [1]


>>> It is obvious that Norval Morrisseau was manipulated by both Mr. Gabor Vadas and his wife Michele, that Norval Morrisseau was "out of it" and that they did their best to keep him away from his biological family by placing him in a nursing home and paid for it with Norval Morrisseau's own money. They kept his family from visiting, exploited him and stole his paintings. Norval Morrisseau died without penny to his name while they kept large number of paintings hidden away for years.

Mr. Vadas who holds and wields Norval Morrisseau's power of attorney had a pattern of threatening legal harm on anybody who is trying to sell any of Norval Morrisseau's work that was done prior to him meeting Norval on the streets of Vancouver in the late 1980's when they were both homeless. Enclosed please find Exhibit # 8 from a court case Otavnik Vs Vadas SC 07-51428-00 where Mr. Vadas threatened this auctioneer if he didn't stop selling works of art from Norval Morrisseau. This auctioneer (Mr. Randy Potter) ignored Mr. Vadas and Mr. Vadas has done nothing because he knows where the painting came from and he knows they are authentic.



"Water Spirts", acrylic on canvas, 54" x 46", © 1979 Norval Morrisseau
~ This painting was defaced on January 27, 2010 by Bryant Ross who is director of Coghlan Art Studio & Gallery in Aldergrove, BC
/Click on image to Enlarge/

Mr. Gabor Vadas among other discrespectful bahaviours had fully supported and approved the destruction of genuine Norval Morrisseau painting which occured on January 27th, 2010. This painting was defaced by Mr. Bryant Ross of Coghlan Art Studio & Gallery from Aldergrove BC and its defacing was also witnessed and approved by Woodland artist Mark Anthony Jacobson of Vancouver, BC. This painting titled "Water Spirits, 1979" was authenticated by Norval Morrisseau and offered for sale at Mr. Bryan Ross' gallery five years after it was acquired from an art dealer Mr. Anthony Martinenko of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mr. Martinenko acquired this genuine Norval Morrisseau painting from private collection of Mr. Rolf Schnieders (1928-2015) of Thunder Bay, Ontario who acquired it from Mr. David Voss, also from Thunder Bay. This painting was offered for sale at Coghlan Art Gallery & Studio in 2005 - the same year Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS) was established (click HERE for more information).

























"Wheel of Life" 35"x35", © 1979 Norval Morrisseau
~ Click HERE to view the inscription on the reverse side of canvas
Source: Randy Potter Estate Auction, Pickering, Ontario

Recently, Mr. Gabor Vadas and his wife Michele supported the Plaintiff in a court case 'Hatfield, Margaret Lorraine vs. Child, Donna and Artworld of Sherway' (Court File No. SC-09-087264-0000). In this court case the Plantiff sued the Defendant that she had purchased a fake Norval Morrisseau painting as she had discovered while browsing the internet the website www.morrisseaubuyersbeware.com (NOT ACTIVE ANYMORE) which was maintained by Dr. Jonathan Browne of Ottawa, Ontario. Ms. Hatfield had found the affidavit listed on Dr. Jonathan Browne website which was allegedly signed on September 22nd, 2004 by Norval Morrisseau. She also discovered her painting "Wheel of Life, 1979" listed as a "fake and imitation" (click HERE; see pages 3 & 9). After having telephone conversation with Dr. Browne he conected her with Mr. Ritchie Sinclair a.k.a. Stardreamer and she decided to launch the lawsuit believing her genuine Norval Morrisseau was a forgery.  

Her painting "Wheel of Life, 1979" was later forensically authenticated Dr. Atul K. Singla - Full Time Forensic Document Examiner and Fingerprint Expert (click HERE and/or HERE).

 * Click HERE to view the affidavit with corresponding documents, signed by Ms. Michele Vadas in support of Ms. Margaret Hatfield's claim (Ref. SC-09-087264-0000).

 Note: Another painting "Cycle of Salmon, 1974), also from this affidavit was labeled "fake and imitation" and was also forensically authenticated by another independent forensics and handwriting expert Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta). Click HERE to view this painting previously presented on the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG and/or click HERE to view this painting listed as a "fake and imitation" on Norval Morrisseau's allegedly signed affidavit on September 22nd, 2004 (see pages 1 & 5).

IMPORTANT NOTE: This affidavit allegedly signed by Norval Morrisseau September 22nd, 2004 was actually sent to Ms. Donna Child and Artworld of Sherway in April 2005, by fax.    

[1] The author of the above photograph who had taken picture of Mr. Gabor Vadas and his wife Michele in September 2009 was Mr. Ronnie Roberts of Roberts Studios Inc. Mr. Roberts had also acquired large number of genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings from private collection of Mr. Rolf Schneiders of Thunder Bay, Ontario who also acquired them from Mr. David Voss also from Thunder Bay. To view one of the genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings from private collection of Mr. Ronnie Roberts, previously presented on the NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG, click HERE.  

As of September 2017, there are now over 150 forensically verified Norval Morrisseau paintings that were dismissed as forgeries by Mr. Ritchie Sinclair, Mr. Gabor Vadas, his wife Michelle & Mr. Bryant Ross that have been sent to a variety of forensics experts for examination. In every single case, the malicious and defamatory claims have been soundly overturned by three different, top level, independent Canadian, internationally recognized forensics experts, who have ruled the paintings are, in fact, genuine Morrisseaus.

Other Norval Morrisseau allegedly signed affidavits will be addressed at a later date.

>>> REFERENCE POSTS:
- Norval Morrisseau Declarations Are A Hoax /Michele and Gabor Vadas Exposed/ (Part I), - Norval Morrisseau Declarations Are A Hoax /Michele and Gabor Vadas Exposed/ (Part II) , - Norval Morrisseau Declarations Are A Hoax /Michele and Gabor Vadas Exposed/ (Part III) , - Norval Morrisseau Declarations Are A Hoax /Michele and Gabor Vadas Exposed/ (Part IV) ,
- Discrediting validity of the Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits (Part I),
- Discrediting validity of the Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits (Part II)
- Discrediting validity of the Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits (Part III),
- Discrediting validity of the Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits (Part IV),
- Discrediting validity of the Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits (Part V),
- Discrediting validity of the Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits (Part VI) &
- Discrediting validity of the Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits (Part VII).
-


Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)