Norval Morrisseau - Copper Thunderbird

““Artist and Shaman between Two Worlds”Artist and Shaman between Two Worlds”

Norval Morrisseau…

"I go to the inner places. I go to the source. I even "I go to the inner places. I go to the source. I even dare to say, I go to the house of invention where dare to say, I go to the house of invention where

all the inventors of mankind have been."all the inventors of mankind have been."

• Born Born March 14th, 1931, Port Arthur - now Thunder Bay, ON

• Raised by grandparents with six siblings in North Western Ontario Raised by grandparents with six siblings in North Western Ontario

• Leaves school after the fourth gradeLeaves school after the fourth grade

• Developed his art from 1959 while working in miningDeveloped his art from 1959 while working in mining

• Became a full time artist in the early 1960sBecame a full time artist in the early 1960s

• Born Born March 14th, 1931, Port Arthur - now Thunder Bay, ON

• Raised by grandparents with six siblings in North Western Ontario Raised by grandparents with six siblings in North Western Ontario

• Leaves school after the fourth gradeLeaves school after the fourth grade

• Developed his art from 1959 while working in miningDeveloped his art from 1959 while working in mining

• Became a full time artist in the early 1960sBecame a full time artist in the early 1960s

• Morrisseau learned stories, myths, spiritual Morrisseau learned stories, myths, spiritual

concepts from his grandfather who was a concepts from his grandfather who was a

shaking tent seer, a powerful and well shaking tent seer, a powerful and well

respected spiritual leader.respected spiritual leader.

• He was given the name Copper Thunderbird, He was given the name Copper Thunderbird,

Miskwaabik Animiiki..

• While at sanatorium in Thunder Bay, Norval While at sanatorium in Thunder Bay, Norval

Morrisseau at the age of 19 had a series of Morrisseau at the age of 19 had a series of

dreams and visions that he said were calling dreams and visions that he said were calling

him to be a shaman-artist.him to be a shaman-artist.

Norval Morrisseau…

Untitled (Shaman). C.1971Untitled (Shaman). C.1971

Norval Morrisseau…

““Artist 's Wife and Daughter”, c.1975Artist 's Wife and Daughter”, c.1975

• A doctor at the sanatorium in Port A doctor at the sanatorium in Port Arthur encouraged him to paint.Arthur encouraged him to paint.

• At this hospital he met and married At this hospital he met and married Harriet Kakegamic with whom he had Harriet Kakegamic with whom he had six children.six children.

• In his early years as an artist living In his early years as an artist living on a northern reserve, he traded his on a northern reserve, he traded his drawings and paintings for food and drawings and paintings for food and supplies.supplies.

• After meeting an art dealer, Jack After meeting an art dealer, Jack Pollock, in the summer of 1962, Pollock, in the summer of 1962, Morrisseau had an exhibition in Morrisseau had an exhibition in Toronto which was a huge success.Toronto which was a huge success.

Norval Morrisseau…

• Morrisseau enlarged the scale Morrisseau enlarged the scale

of his works and developed his of his works and developed his

pictographic style in 1963-66.pictographic style in 1963-66.

• He represented inner realities He represented inner realities

with strong flowing lines with strong flowing lines

combined with rich colours that combined with rich colours that

often indicated spiritual forces.often indicated spiritual forces.

• These images presented an These images presented an

x-ray anatomy with spirit power x-ray anatomy with spirit power

lines radiating from the creatures lines radiating from the creatures

he portrayed.he portrayed.

Norval Morrisseau…

““Observations of the Astral World” (1989 - Observations of the Astral World” (1989 - 1999 ) 1999 )

"My paintings are icons - that is to say, they are images which help "My paintings are icons - that is to say, they are images which help focus on spiritual powers, generated by traditional beliefs and focus on spiritual powers, generated by traditional beliefs and wisdom."wisdom."

Norval Morrisseau…• Norval Morrisseau was Norval Morrisseau was the celebrated founder of the the celebrated founder of the Woodland Woodland

Indian School of ArtIndian School of Art ( (today called the Anishnaabe arttoday called the Anishnaabe art)), becoming , becoming

very popular in the 1960s and onwards. Some of the first nations very popular in the 1960s and onwards. Some of the first nations

artists that he has inspired over the past years include Daphne Odjig, artists that he has inspired over the past years include Daphne Odjig,

Carl Ray, Blake Debassige, Saul Williams, Roy Thomas and others.Carl Ray, Blake Debassige, Saul Williams, Roy Thomas and others.

““Teaching”Teaching”

Norval Morrisseau…

““Thunderbird with Inner Spirit” Thunderbird with Inner Spirit” c.1978c.1978

• The legends of the Ojibwa, the The legends of the Ojibwa, the

Thunderbird, the Windigo and the secrets Thunderbird, the Windigo and the secrets

of the Midiwewin seen through the art of of the Midiwewin seen through the art of

Norval Morrisseau have found their place Norval Morrisseau have found their place

alongside the mainstream art and culture alongside the mainstream art and culture

of the Canadian society. of the Canadian society.

• He was often called the “Picasso of the He was often called the “Picasso of the

North”.North”.

• His art is seen in national, provincial His art is seen in national, provincial

and private galleries throughout Canada and private galleries throughout Canada

and international collections abroad.and international collections abroad.

Norval Morrisseau died on December 4th, 2007.Norval Morrisseau died on December 4th, 2007.

…Norval Morrisseau

Self-Portrait, c.1975Self-Portrait, c.1975

Interesting facts about Norval Morrisseau’s life… Norval was born in 1931 and grew up near Beardmore, Ontario.

He lived with his grandparents. His grandmother was Catholic and his grandfather was a sixth-generation Shaman.

At the age of 19, Norval became serious ill. The medicine woman who treated him gave him the Indian name, “Copper Thunderbird.” This is the name he signs on his paintings.

Norval “struggled with his inner conflicts about revealing Ojibwa culture to the white man, and he drank heavily.”

Norval had many opportunities to exhibit his work. He did commissioned work for the Expo ’67 in Montreal, and in 1969, Dr. Herbert Schwarz arranged a one man exhibition for Norval on the French Riviera. “Over 12, 000 people attended the exhibition including Picasso and Chagall,” said Schwarz. “At the time, Morrisseau was referred to as the “Picasso of the Woods.”

The artist became a believer in Eckankar, a religion that focuses on the “connection to God through Divine Spirit, which can be heard as sound and seen as light.”

In 1986, the Thunder Bay region appointed him Grand Shaman of the Ojibwa.

“I am a Shaman- artist. My paintings are also icons; that is to say, they are images which help focus on spiritual powers generated by traditional belief and wisdom.”

Why is Norval Morrisseau so important? “…Morrisseau was the first person in Canada and the US to paint the

images and legends of the Eastern Woodlands people. As an Ojibwa, Morrisseau is part of an ethnological group known as the Eastern Woodlands people. Geographically, this covers the Northeastern US and Canada. It includes the Iroquois of New York State as well as the Cree, Ojibwa and Odawa people. The taboo Norval had broken existed among all these peoples. There was no known record that anyone before him had broken it.”

“By breaking the taboo and creating a new visual vocabulary, Norval had inspired artists throughout North America. His symbolism became the trademark. Known as the Woodland School of Art, it is only the unique and widespread Native art movement that arose in the Northeast.”

Norval explains the purpose of his art, saying, “My art speaks and will continue to speak, transcending barriers of nationality, of language and other forces that may be divisive, fortifying the greatness of the spirit that has always been the foundation of the Ojibwa people.

(source: Norval Morrisseau, “Return to the House of Invention”, 2005)

…Norval Morrisseau

Website Sources for Images and InformationWebsite Sources for Images and Information 

National Gallery of Canada:http://cybermuse.gallery.ca/cybermuse/search/artwork_e.jsp?mkey=102446 McMichael Canadian Art Collection:http://www.mcmichael.com/exhibitions/morrisseau/images.cfm Native Art in Canada, An Ojibwa Elder’s Art and Stories:http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/norvalmorrisseau.html Norval Morrisseau: Biographyhttp://www.kstrom.net/isk/art/morriss/morr_bio.htmlhttp://www.copperthunderbird.com/about.htm

Community Development, Norval Morrisseau

The Canadian Woodland Group of The Canadian Woodland Group of SevenSeven

Norval Morriseau, Jackson Beardy, Eddy Norval Morriseau, Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness,Cobiness,

Alex Janvier, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray, Joe Alex Janvier, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray, Joe SanchezSanchez

In the contemporary Canadian art world, Canadian native art wasn’t taken seriously until Norval Morrisseau first appeared on the scene in the 1960s. In 1969 the French Press called Morrisseau the “Picasso of the North”.

Morrisseau’s work showed that native artists and native art could stand shoulder to shoulder with other contemporary Canadian artists. However, native art was still on the fringe of the Canadian art world.

Then in 1973 the Winnipeg Art Gallery held a groundbreaking exhibition called Treaty Numbers 23, 287, 1171. This exhibition, in addition to Norval Morrisseau, featured art by native artists Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, Alex Janvier, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray and Joe Sanchez. This exhibition is reputed to be the birth of the Woodland Group of Seven, also known as the Professional National Indian Artists Inc.

The Story of the Canadian Woodland Group of Seven

The Woodland Group of Seven’s art features a predominant black form line, an undifferentiated background, pure colours, and imagery from native legends and healing.

In addition to moving native art into the mainstream of the Canadian art world, the Woodland Group of Seven has played an important role in influencing younger native artists. Just as the original Group of Seven paved the way for Canadian artists to paint Canadian scenes and images, the Woodland Group of Seven opened the doors for a new generation of native artists.

The Woodland School is now an established and recognized form of Canadian native art.

… the story continued

A triptych made up of "Thunder Dancer," "Metamorphosis" and "Thunderbird.“

~ Jackson Beardy

Some of Norval’s Artwork…

“Copper Thunderbird: Merman Ruler of the Water”, 1969. This painting shows Norval’s use of earth tones.

“Stain Glass Effect”, 1989.This painting is a vibrant display of bright colours and shows the

influence of stained glass windows as well as Eckankar.

Jackson Beardy…

Life Cycles

“The artist shows communication on a spiritual plane with the Bear. The hunter always shows respect for the Bear. It is a sacred circle.”

• Jackson Beardy was born July 24, 1944, Island Lake, Manitoba and he died December 8, 1984.

• He joined the Woodlands Group of Seven in 1972.

• His artwork was inspired by his deep knowledge of aboriginal traditions, including Cree myths and legends.

• His artwork often expresses fundamental cosmological and spiritual concepts such as the balances in nature, regeneration and growth and the interdependence of all things.

• Beardy’s distinctive style is characterized by precisely defined flat areas of warm colours and flowing ribbons of paint.

Eddy Cobiness…• Eddy Cobiness was born in 1933 in Warroad, Minnesota. He died in 1996.

• Cobiness moved to Canada and lived on Buffalo Point Reserve near Lake of the Woods in Northern Ontario.

• Like many of the Woodland School artists, Cobiness was self taught.

• His work is recognized for its stylized images of animals.

• Cobiness claimed to be influenced by Picasso’s spare use of line and colour.

• In his later works, Cobiness often signed his paintings with his treaty number, ’47’.

Grouse Nesting (1995)

This is one of Cobiness’ last paintings.

Alex Janvier…

• Alex Janvier was born in Alberta in 1935.

• Like many of the Woodland School of Art members, Janvier was uprooted from his family and sent to a residential school.

• At the residential school he was exposed to artistic tools to create his first paintings. He later received formal training in Calgary, AB.

Daphne Odjig…• Daphne Odjig was born in 1919 in Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island.

• She was a member of the Order of Canada and she has received many national and international awards recognizing her as an influential Native artist.

• Odjig was the receipient of the Aboriginal Achievement Award.

Carl Ray…• Carl Ray was born on the Sandy Lake Reserve in Ontario in 1943 into a family of traditional healers.

• A self-taught painter and printmaker, Ray began his artistic career by illustrating Cree legends and spiritual rituals.

• Ray was introduced to what would be soon be recognized as the Woodland Style of native artwork when he helped Norval Morrisseau create the mural commissioned for the Indians of Canada Pavilion at Expo '67 in Montreal.

• He died tragically in 1978.

Skunk Spirit (1977)

This painting was created using only three colours.

Joseph Sanchez…

Raven Portrait (date unknown)

• Joe Sanchez, an American draft dodger, was an accidental blip on the Canadian native art scene but was nevertheless a founding member of the Indian Group of Seven.

• He had left his country and was trying to make a living in Winnipeg about the time Daphne Odjig and her husband, Chester Beavon, were opening up the Warehouse Gallery in the early 1970's.

• They more or less took him under their wing so he became a member of the Professional Indian Native Artist's Inc association by default.

Website Sources for Images and Information onWebsite Sources for Images and Information on Canadian Woodland Group of Seven ArtistsCanadian Woodland Group of Seven Artists

Jackson Beardy…Jackson Beardy…http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/jacksonbeardy.html

Eddy Cobiness…Eddy Cobiness…http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/eddycobiness.html

Alex Janvier…Alex Janvier…http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/alexjanvier.html

Daphne Odjig…Daphne Odjig…http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/daphneodjig.html

Carl Ray… Carl Ray… http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/carlray.html

Joseph Sanchez…Joseph Sanchez…http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/joesanchez.html

Contemporary First Nations Contemporary First Nations ArtistsArtistsGeorge Littlechild, Carl Beam, Michael Robinson,George Littlechild, Carl Beam, Michael Robinson,

Jane Ash Poitras, Ahmoo Angeconeb…Jane Ash Poitras, Ahmoo Angeconeb…

Red Willow, 2005 ,George LittlechildRed Willow, 2005 ,George Littlechild

…George Littlechild

• George Littlechild was born August 16, 1958 in Edmonton, Alberta from parents of Plains Cree and Scottish/Micmac descent• He studied art and design at Red Deer College, Alberta, 1984 He studied art and design at Red Deer College, Alberta, 1984 • He earned a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, 1988He earned a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, 1988• He is a painter, illustrator, writer and educatorHe is a painter, illustrator, writer and educator• His work is seen in many public and private collections throughout Canada andHis work is seen in many public and private collections throughout Canada and exhibitions abroadexhibitions abroad

"My art speaks from the heart..."My art speaks from the heart...it is charged with energy and it is charged with energy and colour; it is vibrant and magical, colour; it is vibrant and magical, thus enabling the soul to travel.  thus enabling the soul to travel.  I envision.  I rely on the intuitive, I envision.  I rely on the intuitive, the spiritual, the emotional."the spiritual, the emotional."

Teach Them The Way, 2008Teach Them The Way, 2008

……Carl BeamCarl Beam

““Over his career, Beam has worked in a range of media, including large format drawings, Over his career, Beam has worked in a range of media, including large format drawings, watercolours, etchings, installations and ceramics. His post-modern paintings, prints and watercolours, etchings, installations and ceramics. His post-modern paintings, prints and constructions often juxtaposed autobiographical, historical and commercial images to constructions often juxtaposed autobiographical, historical and commercial images to speak to conflicts between Western and Native cultures.”speak to conflicts between Western and Native cultures.”

• Carl Beam, an Ojibwa, was born in M’Chigeeng Carl Beam, an Ojibwa, was born in M’Chigeeng (West Bay) on Manitoulin Island, Ontario in 1943(West Bay) on Manitoulin Island, Ontario in 1943

• He studied at the University of Victoria, BFA, 1974 He studied at the University of Victoria, BFA, 1974 with post-graduate studies at the University of Albertawith post-graduate studies at the University of Alberta

• In 1986, In 1986, The North American IcebergThe North American Iceberg, an art work , an art work by Carl Beam was purchased by the National Gallery of by Carl Beam was purchased by the National Gallery of Canada for the first time as a piece of contemporary art Canada for the first time as a piece of contemporary art rather than ethnographic artrather than ethnographic art

• He was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy He was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2000 and was a recipient of a 2005 Govenor of Arts in 2000 and was a recipient of a 2005 Govenor General’s Award in Visual and Media ArtsGeneral’s Award in Visual and Media Arts

• He died in 2005He died in 2005Sitting Bull and Whale, 1990Sitting Bull and Whale, 1990

…Michael Robinson

• Michael Robinson was born in Ontario, Canada, 1948Michael Robinson was born in Ontario, Canada, 1948• He is an artist, glassblower, printmaker and writerHe is an artist, glassblower, printmaker and writer• He studied at Sheridan College, School of Design, Glass Major, 1969 -1971He studied at Sheridan College, School of Design, Glass Major, 1969 -1971• He lives in Keene, Ontario and Manitoulin Island, OntarioHe lives in Keene, Ontario and Manitoulin Island, Ontario

Their Society, long ago complete,Their Society, long ago complete,They no longer use their dreams They no longer use their dreams to sleep to sleep but shake apart the rational but shake apart the rational dreamdreamof Whirlwinds, silenceof Whirlwinds, silenceand snakes that speak…and snakes that speak…

Men Without NationsMen Without Nations

…Jane Ash Poitras

Rebirth of the Four Coyote SpiritsRebirth of the Four Coyote Spirits

• Jane Ash Poitras was born (1951) in Fort Jane Ash Poitras was born (1951) in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta and makes her home Chipewyan, Alberta and makes her home in Edmonton Albertain Edmonton Alberta

• She received a Bachelor of Science She received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Fine Art degree degree and a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the University of Alberta in Edmonton from the University of Alberta in Edmonton and a Master of Fine Arts degree from and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University in New York CityColumbia University in New York City

• As a mixed-media artist, philosopher, As a mixed-media artist, philosopher, writer and lecturer, her work is exhibited writer and lecturer, her work is exhibited nationally and internationallynationally and internationally

• Her work reflects an insight of Her work reflects an insight of contemporary trends with strong contemporary trends with strong associations to past and present native associations to past and present native history and culturehistory and culture

…Ahmoo Angeconeb

Anishnawbe Woman, Keeper of the Culture, 2005Anishnawbe Woman, Keeper of the Culture, 2005

• Ahmoo Angeconeb is Ojibway, born April 19, 1955 in Sioux Lookout, OntarioAhmoo Angeconeb is Ojibway, born April 19, 1955 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario• He is a painter, papermaker and printmakerHe is a painter, papermaker and printmaker• His work reflects the ideology of the Woodland School of Legend PaintingHis work reflects the ideology of the Woodland School of Legend Painting• He currently lives in Thunder Bay, OntarioHe currently lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario

George Littlechild…http://www.georgelittlechild.com/main.htmhttp://www.georgelittlechild.com/main.htmhttp://www.willockandsaxgallery.com/littlec1.htmhttp://www.willockandsaxgallery.com/littlec1.htm

Carl Beam…http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2005/08/09/beamobit050809.htmlhttp://www.ago.net/carl-beam

Michael Robinson…Michael Robinson…http://www.michaelrobinson.ca/

Jane Ash Poitras…http://www.artsask.ca/en/collections/themes/identity/jane-ash-poitras1

Ahmoo Angeconeb…Ahmoo Angeconeb…http://www.innuitgallery.com/pages/artists/ahmoo_angeconeb.htmlhttp://www.innuitgallery.com/pages/artists/ahmoo_angeconeb.htmlhttp://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ach/ac/nac/iaap/iac-eng.asphttp://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ach/ac/nac/iaap/iac-eng.asp

Website Sources for Images and Information on Website Sources for Images and Information on Contemporary First Nations ArtistsContemporary First Nations Artists