Great Medicine Horned Owl, 1985 by Norval Morrisseau

Provenance:
Acquired directly from the Artist
EA Studios, Calgary

Exhibited:
“Norval Morrisseau”, ManuLife Place, Edmonton, Alberta, December 1985

Literature:
Lister Sinclair and Jack Pollock, "The Art of Norval Morrisseau", Toronto, 1979, pages 116, 133
“Norval Morrisseau,” Edmonton, 1985, unpaginated, reproduced
James R. Stevens, “A Picasso in the North Country: The Wild Journey of Canadian Artist, Norval Morrisseau,” Thunder Bay, 2011, reproduced page 191

In 1976, Norval Morrisseau was introduced by his assistant, Eva Quan, to Eckankar, a belief system that welcomes past lives, dreams and the ability of the soul to travel. As Lister Sinclair states: “Morrisseau has been devoted to Eckankar, a body of teaching which centers around soul travel. Once again he has found a way of systematically using personal visions to liberate his artistic imagination. Once again, for all his uniqueness as an artist and as a human being, he shows himself securely placed in the Indian tradition of a vision–generating shaman.”

Morrisseau portrays the owl (Gookooko’oo) in his artworks as a guardian who watches over the beings of the world, writing that “The all-seeing owl can warn of approaching danger; it is a protector.” A closer look at owl characteristics in Anishinaabe cosmology reveal a nuanced perception of owls, where their calls are understood to help guide the spirits of humans who have passed on. As a prominent bird in the natural world, owls are sources of knowledge and assume the role of teachers and healers, as well as providing wisdom and guidance to the Anishinaabe.

The purchaser of this artwork will also receive a copy of “A Picasso in the North Country: The Wild Journey of Canadian Artist, Norval Morrisseau” by James R. Stevens (within which “Great Medicine Horned Owl” is reproduced), a catalogue from the December 1985 one-man exhibition at Edmonton’s ManuLife Place (”Great Medicine Horned Owl” was included in the exhibition which Morrisseau attended personally), a copy of the photograph of the artist with "Great Medicine Horned Owl" and two additional photographs, showing the artwork hanging in the 1985 Edmonton exhibition.

In recognition of Norval Morrisseau's rich heritage and their longstanding partnership with him during his sponsorship with EA Studios, Calgary, the firm will donate a portion of the proceeds of the sale of this canvas directly to the Orange Shirt Foundation. This donation notes Morrisseau’s survival of the residential school system while supporting and honouring the painter’s legacy.