Art!Facts

"I am a shaman-artist. Traditionally, a shaman's role was to transmit power and the vibrating forces of the spirit through objects known as talismans. In this particular case, a talisman is something that apparently produces effects that are magical and miraculous. My paintings are also icons; that is to say, they are images which help focus on spiritual powers, generated by traditional belief and wisdom. I also regard myself as a kind of spiritual psychologist. I bring together and promote the ultimate harmony of the physical and the spiritual world." ¹

Norval Morrisseau explains that in Shaman and Disciples, he is the Shaman (with beard); the young man on his left is his middle son Brian; the man on his right is his long time friend Shingoose (Curtis Johnnie), musician and actor. The Shaman is teaching his Chelas (students or disciples) from the astral plane (a reference from Theosophy to a plane or level just beyond normal human perception), near the City of Light. Morrisseau believes that he exists on the astral plane spiritually most of the time.

Morrisseau’ symbolism and personal imagery reflect not only his spiritual existence and religious beliefs but also represent traditional legends and cultural values of his people, the Ojibway (also spelled Ojibwe and Ojibwa). His images are composed of colourful stylized forms delineated and separated by strong fluid black outlines which have become characteristic of the Woodland School of Art, an artistic style which was developed by Morrisseau.

Norval Morrisseau was born sometime between 1931 and 1933 and was raised by his maternal grandparents in Sand Point Reserve near Thunder Bay, Ontario.¹ It was through his grandfather that Morrisseau learned about the legacy of the Ojibway beliefs and was trained in the ways of a shaman [spiritual leader]. [He] was [also] exposed to Christianity at an early age through his Catholic grandmother. In the 1970s he became interested in the spiritual philosophy of Eckankar and its theories of astral visions and soul travel. All of these experiences influenced his artistic development.

Morrisseau left school at an early age, and as a young person had little exposure to the visual arts (he is a self-taught artist). Instead, he leaned toward the teachings of his elders, the rock paintings he studied in his youth, and the tools of shamanism.

Morrisseau is known as Copper Thunderbird – a name he received as a young man. In Ojibway culture, the thunderbird acts as a go-between; in combination with “copper,” the name suggests that Morrisseau has the ability to unite opposing powers of underwater/underearth and above sky. Copper Thunderbird signs his paintings with this name represented by syllabics.²

Founder of the Woodland School of Art, Morrisseau developed an artistic style known for its x-ray impressions, rich and vibrant colours, and flat sinuous forms separated by thick black lines. His art influenced the work of other well-known First Nations artists such as Daphne Odjig and Carl Ray who assimilated his iconography and pictographic style in their own work. Morrisseau’s themes incorporate the legends and stories of the Ojibway people and as such offer glimpses into Ojibway culture.

In the 1960s Morrisseau’s work received recognition with the support of Toronto gallery owner Jack Pollock. Following his artistic success he was presented with the Order of Canada and honoured by the Assembly of First Nations.