Ojibwa Midawiin Sacred Bear (c. 1960) Norval Morrisseau

 Paul Robinson, Ritchie Sinclair & John Newman

discuss the Norval Morrisseau painting,  

"Ojibwa Midawiin Sacred Bear"

now on display at the Kinsman Robinson Galleries

The Norval Morrisseau exhibit now on display at KRG is more about essence than presence. Without large scale artworks awash in vibrant colour to over-stimulate we can better appreciate the subtleties of Morrisseau's composition and skill at finishing each piece.

Creating art and being in harmony were one and the same to Norval. The repose required to create his art was gifted to him in the act of creating it. His advice to other artists that, "Whatever happens, just paint, and know that all is well" was no platitude. It was his way of life and best advice to himself.

Morrisseau's hieroglyphic language is wondrously pure and exciting to discover. I enjoy discussing Norval's work with other enthusiasts whenever the opportunity arises. Many thanks to the staff at the Kinsman Robinson Galleries for making this little gathering happen. Hope to see (most of) you there!

Ojibwa Midawiin Sacred Bear

Norval Morrisseau

Acrylic on paper, 22x30inches, 55.88x76.2cm, c.1959-62

Morrisseau and the Superman Within (Dec 1, 2011) Ritchie Sinclair interprets Morrisseau art at the Kinsman Robinson Gallery

Morrisseau and the Superman Within

Ritchie Sinclair discusses Morrisseau and art from the exhibition

“Norval Morrisseau: Early Paper & Birch Bark”

Thursday, Dec 1, 2011 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

(Part of the Yorkville Art Galleries "Gallery Walk")

At Kinsman Robinson Galleries

108 Cumberland St., Toronto

www.YorkvilleArtWalk.ca

Norval Morrisseau: Early Paper & Birch Bark (2011) Another Sold-Out Exhibition at KRG

Mystical Thunderbird 

Norval Morrisseau

Acrylic on watercolour paper, 22" x 30", c.1960-64 

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Today an exhibition of early Norval Morrisseau artwork on birch bark and paper opens at the Kinsman Robinson Galleries ("KRG") in Toronto. This exhibition comprised of 32 pieces has sold out prior to the opening, on the strength of KRG's reputation for guaranteeing the Morrisseau work that they sell is genuine.

In 1999 I wrote a book entitled, "Woodland Gold", to incite people to collect Woodland art in lieu of saving their paper money in banks. In 2011, with the global fiat money system on the brink of failing, both fine art and gold have become a welcome refuge for wealth. When I wrote that Morrisseau art would rise sharply in value as the economy deteriorated neither Norval nor I were aware that cottage industries creating counterfeit paintings of his work were already in full swing undermining my prediction.

In the autumn of 1999 I wished Norval safe travels and gave him a draft of Woodland Gold to read through while he and Gabe journeyed to Manitoulin Island for a healing ceremony. Upon arrival Norval was treated to an exhibition of counterfeit art attributed to him. Shocked, saddened and infuriated, Norval would spend the remaining years of his life doing what he could to stop the proliferation of inferior fake Morrisseau paintings from saturating the Canadian art market.

Today, with thousands of unsellable counterfeit Morrisseau paintings floating around, those in the know buy only from sources who provide clear provenance and who stand behind what they offer with firm guarantees.

The fact that exhibitions like this one opening today sell out underscores the value of authentic Morrisseau art which is priced well below its real market value. If I had millions to spend it would be gone already; on Morrisseaus.

Lisa and Christian - We have to be Child Like (1979) Norval Morrisseau

Lisa and Christian - We have to be Child Like

Norval Morrisseau

acrylic on canvas, 1979, 36" x 30"

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In this 1979 painting Morrisseau portrays his youngest children, Lisa and Christian, to set an example for himself and others. He pictures them to remind us to continue to be childlike in both attitude and attention. The dream-vision of the human population is to play...to seriously, joyfully; play.

This wonderful playful aspect of Norval's character underpinned everything he did, including his finest work. As a Bear he was formidable, or as a "Loon" he was...well, "loony" ...but as a rabbit; he was hilarious. Creative, delightful, curious, generous, trusting, turned on by everything...in a word, "childlike".

Norval's authentic painting entitled, "Lisa and Christian - We have to be Child Like" (1979) was not created to admonish his youngest children, though they might do well with some. It was painted to re-stimulate the child within the adult.

Christian Morrisseau, Norval's (now grown) son, is pictured here standing beside Bernice Morrisseau (Norval's niece), Barney Morrisseau (Norval's brother), Benji Morrisseau (Norval's nephew) and Victoria Kakegamic (Norval's eldest daughter). They pose beside a fake Norval Morrisseau painting displayed at the Artworld of Sherway gallery in Mississauga, Ontario.

In Jim Stevens' recent unauthorized biography about Norval Morrisseau he rightly discredits fake Morrisseau paintings of this genre yet Christian, Bernice, Barney, Benji and Victoria were all featured in his book. Were they all fooled into promoting this fake painting?

There are many Morrisseau relatives pretending to be artists, whether "disguised" as Norval Morrisseau or not. If, however, artistic genius and vision is a bloodline gift then where are the Picasso, Dali and Van Gogh relatives? I prefer to think of Norval as one of a kind.

Ronnie said it best..

Norval has always been somehow different from the rest of our family. He became a mystic beyond his control. He had visions which would mesmerize anyone who didn't believe his magic, because he knew he had the power. He is something both mysterious and complicated. Sometimes he seems to be in a trance or a hypnotic state, it is like he is in a different world.

Ronnie Morrisseau

about older brother Norval

David searching for his Soul (1979) Norval Morrisseau

David searching for his Soul

Norval Morrisseau

acrylic on canvas, 30" x 50", titled verso in pencil, c. 1979

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Waddington's Auctioneers sold this authentic Norval Morrisseau painting in 2009. The painting's title concerns Norval's eldest son, David Morrisseau, who has been painting and authenticating counterfeit Norval Morrisseau art for more than a decade.

Over the years Waddington's have auctioned off a plethora of quality Woodland artworks, including Morrisseaus. Understandably, in the past, Waddington's and other Canadian art venues, have been fooled into moving forgeries as well.

The undeniable truth about Morrisseau fakes has now been publicly accessible for several years. In today's climate, those selling purported Morrisseau paintings without provenance require assurance of authenticity from legitimate sources.

Waddington's know where to look to figure things out. They also know who to contact for confirmation on the authenticity of any purported Morrisseau paintings they may wish to auction off. The public has a cultural investment in this art. Responsible vetting is worth the effort, isn't it?

Perhaps not. Joyner's Waddington's appear intent on auctioning off yet another fake Morrisseau painting on November 25 2011. This painting, dated 1977, is obviously from the Gary Lamont sourced genre of forgeries often dated (though not painted) in the late 1970s. The auctioneers hope to bring in $10-15K for it but I hope that they rethink listing it. Nobody wants to buy a lemon.

After a few minutes training children can spot forgeries from this genre at a glance using flashcards. Why can't Waddington's?