“I am Norval Morrisseau and my Indian name is Copper Thunderbird. I am a born artist” stated Morrisseau.  He was given the name Copper Thunderbird by a medicine women who healed him from an illness when he was nineteen.  He was extremely proud of this name and his heritage. He became a Grand Shaman of the Anishinabe (Ojibwa) people and wrote extensively, preserving the legends of his people. Being such a spiritual person, there were periods in Morrisseau’s life where he was also a devout Christian. In terms of his art, Morrisseau writes, “each one illustrates an Ojibwa Legend as purely uncorrupted as a modern day Indian could possibly paint.”  How do you think his work engaged with both the modern and the spiritual?

Due to his troubled experience in the residential school system, Morrisseau suffered from alcoholism. Even when his painting were gaining recognition in Canadian galleries he had difficulty taking care of himself because of this ordeal.  He often lived on the streets with little money in his pockets. Morrisseau’s art making was his relief from a world that tortured him. What connection do you make between spirituality and wealth?

The 1980’s were a difficult decade for Morrisseau and he ended up on the streets in Vancouver struggling with alcohol and drugs. Morrisseau met and mentored Gabor Vadas and together they re-established Morrisseau in the Canadian Art world in the 1990s.   Morrisseau is most well known for his involvement in the Woodland School of art in the 1960’s. He passed away in Decermber 4th 2007.

For more information about Norval Morrisseau please go to http://www.norvalmorrisseau.com/ or take a look at our research link.

Morrisseau, “Untitled; Two Heads with Bird,” acrylic on canvas.