Thunderbird

Acquired directly from the artist, 1965 Private Collection, Winnipeg

The consignor acquired this artwork (as well as the next lot, “Water Beetle”) as a third year medical student working at the hospital in Sioux Lookout, Ontario.  Involved in the tuberculosis x-ray survey of people living in Northern Ontario, he travelled to many first nation communities in the area, x-raying individuals with a portable machine. It was during such a visit to Sandy Lake in the summer of 1965 that he met Norval Morrisseau.  Following a spirited Scrabble game between Morrisseau, author Sheila Burnford and artist Susan Ross, which the consignor witnessed, the group went to Morrisseau’s studio.  After inquiring as to whether the artist might have artwork which a “poor medical student could afford”, Morrisseau presented two works on birchbark. “Thunderbird" was not signed and the consignor requested that Morrisseau add his signature.  Morrisseau did so, using a watercolour pen to sign the artwork vertically in the lower right corner.  This signature has faded over time.