Norval Morrisseau - How to express appreciation.

This picture is a pastime. I've been at it now for maybe six or seven months. Maybe I'll be at it for another four months or three months. When its finished the way I want to see it I want to present it to the people of Canada. To all the children of Canada. Indian and Native, Chinese, coloured or whatever they are. They're all great souls. These are the people we want to give it to. To appreciate it. Here...hang it up. This is my appreciation for this medal that you have given me.

First you drive me down to the pits of the bottom of hell by your Missionaries and then later on you lift me up with medals...and no matter what I was behind...that's gone. That was the experience that I went through. If I never went through this bottom thing or the upper thing I would never be this great artist. I wouldn't be here to show...Here, here's my appreciation for trying to understand who I am.

Norval Morrisseau

The masterpiece mural, "A Separate Reality" took Morrisseau five years to complete. He then gifted it to the people of Canada. It now is permanently displayed in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, Canada.

An Indian gift is a proverbial expression, signifying a present for which an equivalent return is expected.

Thomas Hutchinson,

History of Massachusetts Bay, 1765

Morrisseau understood the sacred attitude behind the derogatory term, "Indian Giver". Canada gave him a medal so he gave Canada a mural in return...and he did so from the heart.
  

Norval Morrisseau (1981) To be a Shaman

Answers within Questions...

• What is a Shaman?
• Why does a Shaman artist paint?
• What is Shamanistic Art?
• Why did Norval Morrisseau repudiate the Woodland School?

Below are passages from Scroll Two of the e-book, Woodland Gold, that consider certain possibilities. The fourth question is complex. Why do you think Norval Morrisseau repudiated the Woodland School? Was he justified?

When viewed as a personal or family talisman Shamanistic art empowers while it protects. Traditional pictographic art and birchbark scrolls are two-dimensional symbolic renderings that tell an archetypal story. A powerful alignment takes place in those who know how to interpret the colours and symbols in relation to one another. A vibrational sense of oneness with the archetype itself.

Shamanistic art is a creative response to a fundamental sentient need to maintain health and well-being. Through artistic expression, a Shaman calls into play the triple faculties of imagination, intuition and inspiration in order to commune with Spirit. The Great Spirit in turn extends to the tribe the power to consciously harmonize environmental forces. When appreciating Woodland Art in essence we join the tribe vibrationally, and through that connection discover the power within ourselves.

Shamanistic art primarily focuses on the relationship between the "Creator" and the "Created" using symbols to convey natural truths. Most artworks are two dimensional (pictographic) designs that one does not look into as one would a landscape. They are organic statements of inner harmony. Like ripples cast on still water, all symbols in a Woodland School painting have a relationship with one another.

The Woodland School taps into an instinctual wellspring of inspiration that requires no predisposed understanding to appreciate. Those who appreciate the warmth of pure colours will experience a sense of inner harmony and balance. Those with even a simple appreciation of the subject matter will enjoy a deeper respect for the ab'original' in all people. as well as for the creatures of the environment. To those who can fully interpret the relational symbology, an enhanced revelationary empowerment is received.

Stardreamer

Woodland Gold - Scroll Two

Esprit de l'ours et ses amis - Norval Morrisseau

Esprit de l'ours et ses amis

1981 Norval Morrisseau

Serigraph by Alvo Canadian Art, Edition: 80, 18"x30"

"My people believe the earth to be their mother and that we are children of the earth. In spirit we are one with our environment."

Norval Morrisseau

Elevated Consciousness Entering a Parallel Universe - 1981

Norval Morrisseau in front of "Elevated Consciousness Entering a Parallel Universe"

Acrylic on canvas, 9'x6' - 1981

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The Pollock Gallery's appraisal for 'Elevated Consciousness Entering a Parallel Universe' dated November 28th, 1981 - signed by Jack Pollock (1930-1992); Appraised value: $22,000.00 CDN