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Shaman in Repose, circa 1991-1992 by Norval Morrisseau

Artwork by Norval Morrisseau, Shaman in Repose, circa 1991-1992

Norval Morrisseau
Shaman in Repose, circa 1991-1992

acrylic on canvas (diptych)
signed in syllabics lower left; titled and with Kinsman Robinson inventory number on the reverse
47.5 x 47.25 in ( 120.7 x 120 cm ) ( each canvas )

Auction Estimate: $80,000.00$70,000.00 - $80,000.00

Price Realized $43,200.00
Sale date: June 25th 2024

Provenance:
Acquired directly from the Artist, 1994
Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto
Private Collection, Toronto
Literature:
Lister Sinclair and Jack Pollock, “The Art of Norval Morrisseau”, page 89-90, for a painting with a similar subject, the transformed shaman artist with an exaggerated phallus, “Phallic God in Disguise”, 1972
Lister Sinclair and Jack Pollock state, “Morrisseau, like most famous artists throughout history, is fascinated with sexuality. In tribal beliefs, the phallus has always been an object of extreme reverence and a very realistic symbol of great power. The erotica of Morrisseau deserves a special place among his works. His concepts of sexuality are further proof of the artist’s vibrant and fertile imagination.” Morrisseau's erotic works act as a powerful symbol of masculinity and fertility.

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Norval Morrisseau
(1931 - 2007) RCA, Order of Canada

HighlightsWatch Artist

Born in 1931 at Sandy Point Reserve, Ontario, Morrisseau was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts since 1970. Norval Morrisseau was the celebrated founder of the Woodland School, which revitalized Anishnabe iconography, traditionally incised on rocks and Midewiwin birchbark scrolls. A self-taught painter, printmaker, and illustrator, Morrisseau created an innovative vocabulary which was initially criticized in the Native community for its disclosure of traditional spiritual knowledge. His colourful, figurative images delineated with heavy black form lines and x-ray articulations, were characteristically signed with the syllabic spelling of Copper Thunderbird, the name Morrisseau’s grandfather gave him. Morrisseau completed many commissions during his career including the mural for the Indians of Canada Pavilion at Expo 67. He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1978 and, in 1980, received honourary doctorates from both McGill and McMaster universities. In 1995 Morrisseau was honoured by the Assembly of First Nations.