Artwork Background
Title
Indian Family Life
Artist
Norval Morrisseau
Date
The exact creation date for “Indian Family Life” is unspecified, but Norval Morrisseau was most active as an artist from the late 1950s through the early 21st century. The medium used for this piece was likely acrylic paint on canvas or paper, as these were common materials for Morrisseau.
Artist Biography
Norval Morrisseau, also known as Copper Thunderbird, was an Indigenous Canadian artist from the Anishinaabe band. Born on March 14, 1932, he grew up in the Sand Point Ojibway reserve near Beardmore, Ontario. Morrisseau was a self-taught artist who developed a distinctive style known as Woodland or Anishinaabe art, which is characterized by thick black contour lines and bright, flat areas of color. He is often called the “Picasso of the North” and is credited with bringing his people’s visual culture and folklore to a broader audience (Hutchings, 2020). His work has had a significant impact on the recognition and appreciation of Indigenous art in Canada and around the world.
Three Elements of Art Significant in the Chosen Artwork
Color
Morrisseau’s vibrant use of color is a hallmark of his style. In “Indian Family Life,” the colors likely convey emotional and spiritual meanings, with each hue potentially representing different aspects of Anishinaabe culture and belief.
Line
The bold, black outlines are a signature element in Morrisseau’s work, which he used to demarcate figures and elements within the composition, giving them a sense of energy and spiritual presence.
Shape
Morrisseau often employed stylized geometric shapes to represent animals, people, and spiritual beings. These shapes would have been integral in “Indian Family Life” to portray the relationships and interconnectedness between family members and the spiritual world.
Personal Response
Upon viewing “Indian Family Life,” one cannot help but be drawn into the rich cultural tapestry that Morrisseau weaves with his art. The use of color and bold lines creates a visually striking piece that is captivating and informative, offering a glimpse into Anishinaabe traditions and values. It evokes a sense of unity and the importance of family within the Indigenous community, reminding the viewer of the universal value of familial bonds. Morrisseau’s work not only serves as a bridge between cultures but also as a profound statement of identity and resilience, which makes experiencing his art both a visual pleasure and a thought-provoking journey.
References
Hutchings, K. (2020). Transatlantic Upper Canada: Portraits in literature land and British-Indigenous relations (Vol. 2). McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP.