Norval H. Morrisseau, R.C.A., ᐅᓵᐚᐱᐦᑯᐱᓀᐦᓯ
Anishinaabe
(1931-2007)
First Name: Norval
Last Name: Morrisseau
Full Name: Jean-Baptiste Norman Henry Morrisseau
Name in syllabics: (Cree syllabics) ᐅᓵᐚᐱᐦᑯᐱᓀᐦᓯ (Ozaawaabiko-binesi, unpointed: ᐅᓴᐘᐱᑯᐱᓀᓯ, "Copper/Brass [Thunder]Bird"), as his pen-name for his Anishnaabe name ᒥᐢᒁᐱᐦᐠ ᐊᓂᒥᐦᑮ (Miskwaabik Animikii, unpointed: ᒥᐢᑿᐱᐠ ᐊᓂᒥᑭ, "Copper Thunderbird").
Date of birth: March 14, 1931/32
Place of birth: Sand Point Ojibwe reserve near Beardmore, Ontario, Canada
Date of death: December 4, 2007
Community: Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation
Sex: Male
Alternative Names: Copper Thunderbird, Miskwaabik Animiiki
Website: http://www.morrisseau.com
Bio:
Norval Morrisseau is known for originating the Woodland School of Painting, also referred to as Legend or Medicine Painting. Characterized by bright colours, bold outlines and abstract forms, it is rich with spiritual imagery and symbolism, and blends together traditional legends, myths and culture with contemporary mediums. Morrisseau’s work was influenced by traditional Anishnaabe decorative arts, Midewiwin birchbark scrolls and petroglyphs.
Morrisseau was born on the Sand Pond Ojibwe Reserve near Beardmore, Ontario. Following tradition, he was raised by his maternal grandparents. His grandfather, a shaman, taught Morrisseau the Ojibwe language, legends, and culture while his grandmother, a devout Catholic, instructed him on the tenets of Christianity.
At the age of 19, Morrisseau became severely ill. In the Anishnaabe tradition, a sick or dying person may regain strength and energy by being given a new, more powerful name. Accordingly, a healing ceremony was held to rename Morrisseau “Copper Thunderbird.” After his subsequent recovery, Morrisseau would go on to sign his work with this new moniker.
Morrisseau was largely self-taught. He left school after the fourth grade and would ultimately find work in construction and mining while continuing to pursue his art during off-hours. Word of Morrisseau’s art spread; his first professional show was held in 1962 in Toronto at the Pollock Gallery and was hailed as a new development in Canadian art.
Morrisseau’s success helped bring Indigenous art and culture to the attention of many Canadians. Along with Daphne Odjig, Alex Janvier, Carl Ray, Eddy Cobiness, Jackson Beardy and Joseph Sanchez, Morrisseau co-founded the Professional Indian Artists Incorporation, alternately known as "The Indian Group of Seven" in 1973, which would influence generations of artists to follow.
Morrisseau was awarded the Order of Canada in 1978 for his contributions to Canadian art and in 2006 was the first Indigenous artist to have a solo exhibition in the National Gallery of Canada.
Exhibitions
- 1961: Hughes Gallery, London, Ontario
- 1962: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1963: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1964: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1965: Hart House Gallery at University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
- 1965: Galerie Godard Lefort, Montreal, Quebec
- 1966: Musée du Québec (now renamed Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec), Quebec City, Quebec
- 1966: Galerie Cartier (Co-sponsored by Pollock Gallery), Montreal, Quebec
- 1968: Art Gallery of Newport (Sponsored by Galerie Cartier), Newport, Rhode Island, USA
- 1969: Galerie St-Paul, St-Paul de Vence, France
- 1972: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1974: Canadian Guild of Crafts, Toronto, Ontario
- 1974: The Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia
- 1974: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1975: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1975: Shayne Gallery, Montreal, Quebec
- 1976: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1976: Gallery 115, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- 1977: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1977: Graphic Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia
- 1978: Wells Gallery, Ottawa, Ontario
- 1978: First Canadian Place (sponsored by the Pollock Gallery), Toronto, Ontario
- 1979: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1979: The Gallery Stratford, Stratford, Ontario
- 1979: Shayne Gallery, Montreal, Quebec
- 1979: The McMichael Canadian Collection (Artist in residence), Kleinburg, Ontario
- 1979: Cardigan/Milne Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- 1980: Canadian Galleries, Edmonton, Alberta
- 1980: Lynnwood Arts Centre, Simcoe, Ontario
- 1980: Bayard Gallery, New York, New York, USA
- 1981: Pollock Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1981: Anthony's Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1981: Anthony's Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia
- 1981: Thunder Bay National Exhibition Centre, Thunder Bay, Ontario
- 1981: Nexus Art Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1982: Moore Gallery, Hamilton, Ontario
- 1982: Masters Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
- 1982: Robertson Gallery, Ottawa, Ontario
- 1982: The New Man Gallery, London, Ontario
- 1982: Nexus Art Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1982: Legacy Art Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
- 1982: Scarborough Public Gallery, Scarborough, Ontario
- 1984: Ontario Place, Toronto, Ontario
- 1984: Ontario North Now, Kenora, Ontario
- 1985: Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina, Saskatchewan
- 1986: First Canadian Place (joint exhibition with Brian Marion), Toronto, Ontario
- 1986: Manulife Centre, Edmonton, Alberta
- 1987: Gulf Canada Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta
- 1988: Sinclair Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia
- 1989: The Art Emporium, Vancouver, British Columbia
- 1990: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 1991: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 1991: Wallack Gallery, Ottawa, Ontario
- 1992: Jenkins Showler Galleries, White Rock, British Columbia
- 1994: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 1997: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 1999: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 1999: The Drawing Centre, New York, New York, USA
- 2001: Art Gallery of South Western Manitoba, Brandon, Manitoba
- 2001: Canada House Gallery, Banff, Alberta
- 2001: Drawing Center, New York, New York
- 2002: Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario
- 2006: Steffich Fine Art, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
- 2006: National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
- 2006: Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario
- 2006: McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg, Ontario
- 2006: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 2007: Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- 2007: The George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian, New York, New York
- 2011: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
Retrospectives
- 2008: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 2010: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 2012: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 2014: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
- 2016: Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario
Articles
- https://aci-iac.ca/art-books/norval-morrisseau/biography
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norval_Morrisseau
- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/norval-morrisseau
- http://www.artnet.com/artists/norval-morrisseau/
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/norval-morrisseau-76/article1091047/
- https://nationalpost.com/tag/norval-morrisseau
- https://canadianart.ca/news/shocking-norval-morrisseau-forgery-ring-story-hits-the-big-screen/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/08/arts/08morrisseau.html
- https://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/8958046-the-agh-norval-morrisseau-collection-finally-gets-its-day/
- https://www.macleans.ca/archives/the-ecstasy-of-norval-morrisseau/
- https://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/articles/painting-by-renowned-artist-norval-morrisseau-finds-new-home-at-mcmaster/
- https://aptnnews.ca/2017/05/09/norval-morriseaus-family-speaks-out-about-controversial-toronto-artist/
- https://www.gallery.ca/collection/artist/norval-called-copper-thunderbird-morrisseau
- https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2019/06/14/Documentary-Norval-Morrisseau/
- https://www.wag.ca/whats-on/blog/display,articles/179/morrisseau-s-androgyny
- https://www.redlakemuseum.com/uploads/2/9/6/8/29683319/norval_morrisseau_in_red_lake.pdf
- https://koymangalleries.com/artist/norval-morrisseau/
Artwork
| Title | Last Sold At Auction | |
|---|---|---|
| NATURE OF THINGS | 2007-06 (June 2007) | |
| ASTRAL CHILDREN | 2016-05 (May 2016) | |
| BEAR | 2011-11 (November 2011) | |
| BEAR AND FISH | 2012-12 (December 2012) | |
| BEAR AND LOONS | ||
| BEAR DOCTOR HEALING | 2015-08 (August 2015) | |
| BEAR SPIRIT | 2016-11 (November 2016) | |
| BIRD | 2011-11 (November 2011) | |
| BIRDS & FISH | 2011-01 (January 2011) | |
| FAMILY OF BEARS | 2016-04 (April 2016) | |
| FISH; BIRDS; MEDICINE TURTLE; SPIRITUAL SUNBIRDS | 2016-06 (June 2016) | |
| IMAGES AND RAVENS | 2010-11 (November 2010) | |
| LEGEND OF SURVIVAL | 2012-12 (December 2012) | |
| LOOK WITHIN OURSELFS | 2016-03 (March 2016) | |
| LOON FAMILY | ||
| MY GRANDAUGHTER | 2017-10 (October 2017) | |
| MY SON PETER | 2017-06 (June 2017) | |
| OWL | 2010-08 (August 2010) | |
| SHAMAN’S APPRENTICE VISIONARY | 2017-03 (March 2017) | |
| TURTLE SHAMAN WITH BIRDS | ||
| TWO LOONS | 2014-12 (December 2014) | |
| UNTITLED (BIRD & FISH) | 2016-04 (April 2016) | |
| UNTITLED (NESTING BIRD) | 2016-04 (April 2016) | |
| UNTITLED (SQUAWKING BIRD) | 2015-08 (August 2015) | |
| UNTITLED (TWO BIRDS) | 2016-03 (March 2016) | |
| ALL IS WELL | 2015-08 (August 2015) | |
| ALL WITHIN | 2016-11 (November 2016) | |
| ARITST’S SPIRITUAL WIFE AND CHILDREN | 2017-10 (October 2017) | |
| ARTIST BITES BEARS HEART | 2021-03 (March 2021) | |
| ARTIST GRANDSON A.S.K. | 2015-12 (December 2015) | |
| ARTIST’S SPIRITUAL WIFE AND CHILDREN | 2016-09 (September 2016) | |
| ASTRAL CHILDREN | 2021-10 (October 2021) | |
| ASTRAL COMMUNICATION | 2022-06 (June 2022) | |
| BEAR | 2015-12 (December 2015) | |
| BEAR AND BIRDS | 2021-01 (January 2021) | |
| BEAR AND FISH | ||
| BEAR SPIRIT | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| BEAR, FISH & BIRDS - INTERDEPENDENCE | 2015-03 (March 2015) | |
| BEAVER | 2016-01 (January 2016) | |
| BEGINNING OF TRANSFORMATION | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| BLACK BEAR DAY DREAMING OF FISH | 2012-12 (December 2012) | |
| BROTHERS | ||
| CARIBOU | 2014-03 (March 2014) | |
| CHILDREN OF LIGHT AND SOUND | 2020-12 (December 2020) | |
| CHILDREN OF MOTHER EARTH (WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL) | 2014-10 (October 2014) | |
| CHRISTIAN NATIVE | 2017-08 (August 2017) | |
| COMMUNACTION [SIC] | 2015-11 (November 2015) | |
| COSMIC CHILDREN 2 | 2020-05 (May 2020) | |
| CYCLE OF FISH | 2007-02 (February 2007) | |
| DIMENSIONS TRAVELLER IN MOTION | 2018-07 (July 2018) | |
| DUALITY IN BALANCE | 2018-01 (January 2018) | |
| FAMILY | 2019-07 (July 2019) | |
| FAMILY OF DUCKS | 2022-02 (February 2022) | |
| FATHER AND SON | ||
| FISH | 2011-02 (February 2011) | |
| FISH & BIRDS | 2011-07 (July 2011) | |
| FISH AND LOON | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| FISH AND LOONS OF LAKE NIPIGON | 2016-03 (March 2016) | |
| FISH BIRD & INDIAN | 2014-08 (August 2014) | |
| FISH DREAM | 2012-03 (March 2012) | |
| FISH TOTEM | 2016-08 (August 2016) | |
| FLOCK OF LOONS | 2011-07 (July 2011) | |
| FOUR BIRDS | 2016-01 (January 2016) | |
| GABE | 2013-07 (July 2013) | |
| IMAGE OF DAVID ON THE ASTRAL PLANE | 2014-01 (January 2014) | |
| IMAGES & MYTHS | ||
| IMAGES OF MYTH | 2010-08 (August 2010) | |
| LIFE IMAGES | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| LIFE IN GENERAL | 2022-09 (September 2022) | |
| LILY OF THE MOHAWK - 1997 | 2012-12 (December 2012) | |
| LOOK WITHIN OURSELFS | 2024-03 (March 2024) | |
| LOOKING NORTH | 2016-08 (August 2016) | |
| LOON AND FISH | 2010-10 (October 2010) | |
| LOON FAMILY | 2021-04 (April 2021) | |
| LOON GROUPING | 2020-08 (August 2020) | |
| LOON TOTEMIC SPIRIT AND GREBES WITH HUMAN | 2015-01 (January 2015) | |
| LOON WITH EGGS | 2015-01 (January 2015) | |
| MANIFESTATION | 2011-12 (December 2011) | |
| MEDICINE BEAR | 2007-06 (June 2007) | |
| MEN TALK ABOUT THE POWER OF THE THUNDERBIRD | 2017-08 (August 2017) | |
| MERGING CYCLES | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| MERMAN | 2014-10 (October 2014) | |
| MERMAN AND A CYCLE OF FISH | 2015-08 (August 2015) | |
| METAMORPHOSIS - MAN INTO FISH | 2015-10 (October 2015) | |
| METAMORPHOSIS - MAN INTO THUNDERBIRD; MAN INTO BEAR; MAN INTO TURTLE; MAN INTO FISH (1977) | 2014-12 (December 2014) | |
| MOOSE | 2015-12 (December 2015) | |
| MOOSE & WOLVES | 2018-05 (May 2018) | |
| MORRISSEAU | 2019-09 (September 2019) | |
| MOTHER AND CHILD | 2022-06 (June 2022) | |
| MY FUTURE OFFSPRING | 2011-12 (December 2011) | |
| MY GRANDSON AND THE BIRDS | 2016-11 (November 2016) | |
| MY SON PETER | 2014-04 (April 2014) | |
| NATIVE TOTEM | 2015-10 (October 2015) | |
| NATURE UNITY | 2011-03 (March 2011) | |
| NEW DIRECTION | 2017-12 (December 2017) | |
| NORVAL AS SHAMAN TAKING SOUL THROUGH PROTEL (SIC) | 2015-11 (November 2015) | |
| OJIBWAY MEDICINE MAN | 2022-09 (September 2022) | |
| OJIBWAY MEDICINE SOCIETY | 2017-10 (October 2017) | |
| OJIBWAY THUNDERBIRD | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| ON THE HUNT | 2019-11 (November 2019) | |
| PERSONAL IMAGES | 2020-12 (December 2020) | |
| PETER AND HIS FRIENDS | 2011-12 (December 2011) | |
| POWER WITH UNITY | 2019-09 (September 2019) | |
| PRELUDE TO SPRING | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| QUEEN’S PARK AND HART HOUSE | 2007-09 (September 2007) | |
| RAT AND BUTTERFLY | 2011-01 (January 2011) | |
| REALITY | 2019-03 (March 2019) | |
| SACRED BEAR | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| SACRED BEAVER | 2020-03 (March 2020) | |
| SACRED BEAVER WITH MEDICINE BAG | 2015-11 (November 2015) | |
| SACRED FISH | 2015-03 (March 2015) | |
| SACRED TROUT WITH EGGS | 2022-07 (July 2022) | |
| SEA OTTER CATCHING SALMON | 2020-03 (March 2020) | |
| SEATED BIRD TOTEM; STANDING BIRD TOTEM | 2012-03 (March 2012) | |
| SELF PORTRAIT | 2020-07 (July 2020) | |
| SEPARATE LIFE FORMS | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| SHAMAN AND BIRDS | 2007-07 (July 2007) | |
| SHAMAN AND HIS FRIENDS | 2012-05 (May 2012) | |
| SHAMAN AND SON | 2016-05 (May 2016) | |
| SHAMAN ASTRAL GUIDE I | 2019-09 (September 2019) | |
| SHAMAN ASTRAL GUIDE I AND SHAMAN ASTRAL GUIDE II | 2017-05 (May 2017) | |
| SHAMAN ASTRAL GUIDE II | 2019-09 (September 2019) | |
| SHAMAN PEOPLE | 2013-11 (November 2013) | |
| SHAMAN SPIRIT | 2019-04 (April 2019) | |
| SHAMAN THUNDERBIRD | 2016-06 (June 2016) | |
| SHAMAN WITH BIRDS AND BEAR | ||
| SHAMAN'S APPRENTICE VISIONARY | 2024-03 (March 2024) | |
| SHAMAN’S APPRENTICE VISIONARY | 2018-07 (July 2018) | |
| SHAMAN’S DREAM | 2014-10 (October 2014) | |
| SILENT EYE, CIRCA 1974 | 2022-06 (June 2022) | |
| SIMPLICITY | 2022-11 (November 2022) | |
| SOUL VISION | 2015-12 (December 2015) | |
| SPIRIT CREATURE | ||
| SPIRITUAL FEAST | 2014-04 (April 2014) | |
| SPIRITUAL MERMAN | 2014-01 (January 2014) | |
| SPIRITUAL VISION | 2018-11 (November 2018) | |
| SURVIVAL STRENGTH | 2013-11 (November 2013) | |
| THE ART OF NORVAL MORRISSEAU, 1979 | 2020-03 (March 2020) | |
| THE BLESSING | 2022-07 (July 2022) | |
| THE FAMILY | 2014-06 (June 2014) | |
| THE GATHERERS | 2014-12 (December 2014) | |
| THE GREAT FLOOD | 2021-12 (December 2021) | |
| THE LEGEND OF THE TROUT | 2012-09 (September 2012) | |
| THE OTHER SIDE OF SHAMAN | 2017-11 (November 2017) | |
| THE SHAMAN SPEAKING FOR ARTIST TO THE MERMAN | 2016-11 (November 2016) | |
| THE TROUT DREAM LEGEND | 2007-03 (March 2007) | |
| THE VISIONARY | 2011-12 (December 2011) | |
| THINKING OF FISHES | 2012-05 (May 2012) | |
| THUNDER SPIRIT | 2011-11 (November 2011) | |
| THUNDERBIRD AND BEAR | 2007-09 (September 2007) | |
| THUNDERBIRD MAN | 2018-01 (January 2018) | |
| THUNDERBIRD MEDICINE SOCIETY | 2017-10 (October 2017) | |
| THUNDERBIRD SHAMAN SPEAKS TO BEAR CLAW | ||
| THUNDERBIRD'S SPIRIT | 2019-07 (July 2019) | |
| THUNDERBIRD’S SPIRITS | 2014-08 (August 2014) | |
| TWO BIRDS | 2011-07 (July 2011) | |
| TWO BIRDS & FLOCK OF LOONS | 2016-04 (April 2016) | |
| TWO BIRDS AND A BUTTERFLY | 2015-08 (August 2015) | |
| UNITITLED (MYTHICAL CREATURE) | 2010-08 (August 2010) | |
| Untitled | 2016-02 (February 2016) | |
| UNTITLED | 2018-11 (November 2018) | |
| UNTITLED ("LOVERS" & "SNAKE CHARMER") | 2022-07 (July 2022) | |
| UNTITLED (ANGRY BIRD) | 2015-03 (March 2015) | |
| UNTITLED (ANIMALS) | 2012-07 (July 2012) | |
| UNTITLED (BIRD) | 2021-08 (August 2021) | |
| UNTITLED (BIRDS) | 2007-02 (February 2007) | |
| UNTITLED (BIRDS/FISH/CREATURES) | 2021-03 (March 2021) | |
| UNTITLED (FAMILY OF FIVE) | 2017-12 (December 2017) | |
| UNTITLED (FIGURE) | ||
| UNTITLED (HORNED ANIMAL) | 2016-08 (August 2016) | |
| UNTITLED (LOVERS) | 2022-05 (May 2022) | |
| UNTITLED (MOTHER & CHILD WITH BIRD) | 2016-09 (September 2016) | |
| UNTITLED (MOTHER AND YOUNG) | 2019-01 (January 2019) | |
| UNTITLED (NESTING BIRD) | 2013-11 (November 2013) | |
| UNTITLED (SHAMAN) | 2018-01 (January 2018) | |
| UNTITLED (SHAMANS) | 2018-07 (July 2018) | |
| UNTITLED (SNAKE CHARMER) | 2022-05 (May 2022) | |
| UNTITLED (SQUAWKING BIRD) | 2013-11 (November 2013) | |
| UNTITLED (SWIMMING BIRDS) | 2016-01 (January 2016) | |
| UNTITLED (THREE BIRDS ATTACKING SMALL ANIMAL) | 2018-11 (November 2018) | |
| UNTITLED (THREE FROGS) | 2014-04 (April 2014) | |
| UNTITLED (THUNDERBIRD) | 2016-02 (February 2016) | |
| UNTITLED (TWO BIRDS & BUTTERFLY) | 2022-03 (March 2022) | |
| UNTITLED (TWO BIRDS) | 2019-03 (March 2019) | |
| UNTITLED (UNITY) | 2014-01 (January 2014) | |
| UNTITLED (YOUNG THUNDERBIRD) | 2022-06 (June 2022) | |
| UNTITLED DIPTYCH | 2015-11 (November 2015) | |
| VARIOUS IMAGES | 2019-01 (January 2019) | |
| VARIOUS TITLES | 2021-11 (November 2021) | |
| VISION TO IT’S SOUL | 2011-02 (February 2011) | |
| WALKING TOWARDS ETERNITY | 2020-10 (October 2020) | |
| WE ARE GODS WITHIN OURSELVES | 2020-12 (December 2020) | |
| WE ARE GODS WITHIN OURSELVES; FISH AND LOONS OF LAKE NIPIGON; BIRD SPEAKS TO THESE CHILDREN; CHILDREN OF LIGHT AND SOUND; WOODLAND CREATURES; SERMON TO THE BIRDS | 2014-06 (June 2014) |
