Norval Morrisseau

Norval Morrisseau was born in 1932 in Fort Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario. He is an Ojibwa artist who is the celebrated founder of the Woodland School, which revitalized Anishnabe iconography, traditionally incised on rocks and Midewiwin birch bark scrolls. He is largely a self-taught painter, printmaker, and illustrator. His work is recognized for its innovative vocabulary, which was initially criticized in the Native community for its disclosure of traditional spiritual knowledge. His colourful, figurative images are delineated with heavy black form lines and x-ray articulations. His paintings are often signed with the syllabic spelling of Copper Thunderbird, the name his grandfather gave him.

A member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts since 1970, Norval Morrisseau has completed many commissions during his career, including the mural for the Indians of Canada Pavilion at Expo '67. He was presented with the Order of Canada in 1978, and in 1980 honourary doctorates from McGill and McMaster Universities. In 1995, the Assembly of First Nations also honoured Morrisseau.

Morrisseau has been the subject of numerous publications and his work is found in most major public collections in Canada and beyond. He has transcended the stereotypical label and proven to be one of Canada's genuine great artists.