Norval Morrisseau remembered through his art

Norval Morrisseau, the artist who started the Woodland painting style, had his art shown in an exhibition that began Aug. 1 at the Centennial Centre in Sioux Lookout.
“We’re here in Sioux Lookout to put on a Norval Morrisseau exhibition as part of the Blueberry Festival,” said Gaye Sihin, project manager for Westerkirk Work of Arts (WWA) in Toronto.
WWA is a corporate art collection, and a branch of Westerkirk Capital, an investment company.
“What Westerkirk does is we collect Morrisseau’s artwork in the public interest,” said Jessica Wilson, curator for WWA.
Wilson and Sihin were contacted by Brian McKinnon to display their collection of Morriseau’s art in Sioux Lookout during the community’s 30th annual Blueberry Festival.
“We feel it’s important that art is shared, and Sioux Lookout is a community that we think is thriving with great artists,” said Sihin.
The duo came to Sioux Lookout in November of last year pursuing research for a book: “Copper Thunderbird: The Art of Norval Morrisseau.”
Wilson said they hope to have people come in and look at the art who normally would not have the resources to travel to Thunder Bay or any other urban centers where Morrisseau’s paintings are held.
“Because of the Blueberry Festival, we thought it’d be a good time to make sure that people see the collection,” said Wilson.
Ahmoo Angeconeb, a member of Lac Seul First Nation and an internationally recognized artist, said that he grew up thinking of Morrisseau as a great influence on his own artwork.
Angeconeb said he read Morrisseau’s book, “The Legends Of My People: The Great Ojibwe,” when he was about 13.
“I thought to myself when I read his book that this is great – here’s a guy who’s painting and has the same ideas that I do,” said Angeconeb.
He said when he was small, he would hear of the legends and stories of his people from his Elders, and he would try and draw them.
“It’s really nice to have a Morrisseau exhibition in Sioux Lookout,” said Angeconeb. “I really hope a lot of Anishinabe people will come and see this exhibition and see his artwork.”
Angeconeb also had a corner for his artwork.
“We would love to bring the collection to other communities,” said Wilson.
The next exhibition site is M’Chigeeng on Manitoulin Island at the Ojibway Cultural Foundation.
The Sioux Lookout exhibition also features a portrait project by photographers Brent Wesley of Constance Lake and Adrienne Fox of Bearskin Lake.