Fifth Anniversary of the closing of "RETURNING TO THE PEACEFUL SKY, NORVAL MORRISSEAU" in China & Malaysia

-
Kevin Hearn Vs. Joseph B. McLeod and Maslak McLeod Gallery Inc.
/Court File No. CV-12-455650/

"SPIRIT ENERGY OF MOTHER EARTH HAS NOT BEEN PROVED TO BE A FORGED OR FAKE MORRISEAU. FROM THE LAW'S POINT OF VIEW, IT IS THEREFORE A REAL NORVAL MORRISSEAU PAINTING."-

~ Justice Edward M. Morgan, May 24, 2018

> Exhibition "RETURNING TO THE PEACEFUL SKY, NORVAL MORRISSEAU", held from October 31st to November 9th, 2015 in China and Malaysia was organized by LIFE Culture Group www.life-culture.org which is an Open Multicultural Platform. They Celebrate Cross-Cultural Experiences & Perspectives in Various Exhibitions & LIVE Shows and they are in partnership with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.

Principal of the LIFE Culture Group Mr. Fenke Feng in front of genuine Norval Morrisseau painting "Dust of Life Forever, 1974", acrylic on canvas, Size: approx. 48"x132". This painting was signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique. 

Source (image & text): www.life-culture.org

PROVENANCE OF GENUINE NORVAL MORRISSEAU ARTWORKS FOR THIS EXHIBITION: David Voss, Rolf Schnieders (1928-2015) and Gary Lamont, all from Thunder Bay, Ontario.


~ Click HERE for more information about Mr. Gary Lamont and his involvement in group of Thunder Bay lawyers acquiring genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings and donating them to Canada's cultural instututions (Glenbow Museum, Thunder Bay Grt Gallery, Hamilton Art Gallery, Algoma Art Gallery etc).


BLOG MASTER'S NOTES: It is important to note that one of the expert witnesses in a case Zelinski, Whent, Pustina v. The Queen, (No. 92-424) who re-appraised the paintings in question was Donald C. Robinson of Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, Ontario - see Donald C. Robinson's Curriculum Vitae (Items 15 & 16). From these items is clearly seen that Donald C. Robinson commisioned a 270 page report for 211 Norval Morrisseau paintings that lawyers Zelinski, Whent and Pustina of Thunder Bay, Ontario purchased from 1984 to 1986 ( for more information click HERE and/or click HERE to read a thank you letter to Donald C. Robinson written and signed by Nicholas J. Pustina).
-
Other expert witnesses in this case, who testified for the Crown, were Mr. Walter Moos, Mr. Donald G. Lake and Mr. Joseph McLeod of Maslak McLeod Gallery (click HERE). -



-----------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Carmen Robertson* noted that Mr. Rolf Schnieders was "well-known conduit for Morrisseau's paintings in the Thunder Bay region" and was "actively handling works by the artist since 1960s. He operated small store on May St., in Thunder Bay ON called 'Yesterday's Treasures' for a number of years and this was one way he sold works by Morrisseau." 




* - Full Professor at Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario; Formerly an associate professor of contemporary Aboriginal art history in the Department of Visual Arts, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan; E-mail: carmen.robertson@carleton.ca... also a  Member of the defunct Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS)

** - Professor C. Robertson “expert report” on Hearn’s “Spirit Energy of Mother Earth”

-----------------------------------------------------------------


Other painters of the Woodland School of Art which were represented in this exhibition included Blake Debassige, Benjamin Chee Chee and Leland Bell. 

Eugene Morrisseau in front of genuine Morrisseau 

"My trip to "THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, 2015 to Shanghai, Guangzhou, China then on to, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. To represent my late father, and family of my brothers and sisters. To introduce my late father Norval Morrisseau. Also known as " Picasso of the North " to the Asian market. His legacy, his art, his colors, his stories, his storytelling on canvas, it was an honor for me, to represent our people, First Nations people of Canada..."

Eugene Morrisseau

Eugene Morrisseau in front of
genuine Norval Morrisseau painting
"Dust of Life Forever, 1974" 

"This picture was taken in Guangzhou China, the night before the exhibition. Getting last minute things ready, I'm just looking at all my dads artwork, paintings, that's hanging on the wall here... very nice paintings. This is the vest that I asked the Sandy Lake chief and council to make for me, for this special occasion to come to the other side of the world to represent my father Norval Morrisseau, my family, my brothers and sisters and of course, the First Nations people in Canada. It is a great honor being here to represent my father and where is this Sand Lake First Nations vest and my dad's tie called 'Man turning into a Thunderbird'... it just matches my vest. In closing I'd like to say hi to everybody... to all my Facebook friends and all my cousins and family wherever you may be... and to my kids back home. 

Kikjieh meegwetch"

Eugene Morrisseau

-------------
-

From left to right: Christian (Chimo), Norval & Eugene Morrisseau
at Concourse Aboriginal Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA - April 2002
/Click on Image to Enlarge/

Norval Morrisseau with his son Eugene at Victoriaville Mall, Thunder Bay, Ontario, CANADA 2002
/Click on image to Enlarge/


-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

--
-
-
-

Norval Morrisseau with Family at Keewaywin Community Hall, 
Keewaywin First Nation, Ontario, CANADA 2002
/Click on image to Enlarge/


BLOG MASTER'S COMMENT:

I am a strong believer that Norval Morrisseau's Legacy belongs to his people "the Great Ojibway" and to family that bears his name - Morrisseau Family.

"May the truth be told and known to all"-

Miigwetch

Ugo Matulić

ugo.matulic@norvalmorrisseau.com

* The photograph of Norval Morrisseau with his sons taken at Concourse Aboriginal Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba was submitted to the Blog Master on May 1st, 2002 by an art dealer Anthony Martinenko, Winnipeg Manitoba

>>> Genuine 'Randy Potter Morrisseau painting' appraised by Mr. Galal Helmy for $100,000, also authenticated by Forensic science

-
Kevin Hearn Vs. Joseph B. McLeod and Maslak McLeod Gallery Inc.
/Court File No. CV-12-455650/

"SPIRIT ENERGY OF MOTHER EARTH HAS NOT BEEN PROVED TO BE A FORGED OR FAKE MORRISEAU. FROM THE LAW'S POINT OF VIEW, IT IS THEREFORE A REAL NORVAL MORRISSEAU PAINTING."

~ Justice Edward M. Morgan, May 24, 2018

/Previously published material/

SADLY, NONE OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS POST WAS INCLUDED IN 114 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY FILM "THERE ARE NO FAKES" WHICH WAS SCREENED AT THE 2019 HOT DOCS CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL IN TORONTO ON APRIL 29TH & MAY 1ST 2019. THIS FILM HAS BEEN DIRECTED BY MR. JAMIE KASTNER WHO IS TORONTO BASED FILMMAKER AND WRITER. 

"The Great Creator", 23"x96", © 1976 Norval Morrisseau,
* Exhibited at Mr. David Barnes' home, Brampton, Ontario CANADA
PROVENANCE: Randy Potter Estate Auctions, Port Hope, ONTARIO; Mr. Allan Lawson of Orangeville, Ontario (now Mono, Ontario)
AUTHENTICATION/APPRAISAL: Mr. Galal Helmy, Jasper ALBERTA
/Click on image to Enlarge/

~ Click HERE, HERE & HERE to see detailed images of the front of artwork - a title and artist's signatures in Cree syllabics and English signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique. 

> The signature painted with a dry brush (DB) technique on the FRONT of the above presented acrylic painting on canvas has been positively identified to have been authored by Canadian Anishinaabe/Woodland artist Norval Morrisseau.

These discoveries were conducted and documented by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta). 

This report, dated March 19th, 2018 will be presented on these pages soon.


INTRODUCTION:

All of Norval Morrisseau paintings acquired from the late Mr. Randy Potter's auction (Randy Potter Estate Auctions) that were analyzed for artist's signatures were forensically authenticated by three top internationally recognized Forensic Document Examiners and Handwriting Experts from Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary (click HERE).

NOTE: Mr. Donald Robinson of Kinsman Robinson Galleries successfully purchased 28 lots of paintings in the amount of $53,238.73 including GST during the time frame between late 1999 and early 2000 from Randy Potter Estate Auction (click HERE for the receipts from Mr. Potter's auction, then Kahn Auctions, showing the Norval Morrisseau paintings sold to Mr. Donald Robinson). Mr. Robinson labeled these paintings as fakes but he has never asked for money back from Mr. Randy Potter.


Text (screenshot): Courtesy of theMorrisseauHoaxExposedBlog.com 
        /Click HERE/

> Click HERE to view the very first painting purchased by Mr. Donald Robinson from the late Randy Potter's Kahn Auctions, sold through Kinsman Robinson Galleries (KRG) and authenticated by Forensic Science... or click HERE for paintings appraised by KRG that were purchased from Kahn Auctions. <



Mr. Galal Helmy (ret.)

The above Genuine Norval Morrisseau was authenticated/appraised by Mr. Galal Helmy, former owner of the Maligne Canyon Restaurant & Gift Shop in Jasper, Alberta and EA Studios. The gift shop has  a spectacular collection of original Native Indian and Inuit art. Well-known artists include Norval Morrisseau, Eddy Cobiness, Jackson Beardy and the Hunt family of the Kwakiutl Nation.

Norval Morrisseau @ Manulife Place Exhibition;
Galal Helmy, Exhibition Sponsor (December 1985)

Norval Morrisseau lived in Jasper from 1985 until early 1987. Mr. Galal Helmy says Morrisseau returned there in June 1987, and stayed until December 1987 when he returned back to Vancouver.

Mr. Helmy purchased hundreds of paintings directly from Norval Morrisseau which he produced while stayed at his premises. Mr. Helmy says that he took a photo of the artist with a painting for every artwork he had ever acquired from Norval Morrisseau.

"Self Portrait"; © 1986 Norval Morrisseau
Mr. Helmy's donation to Canadian Museum of History
(Former Canadian Museum of Civilization)

The Government of Canada has often asked for pieces of Galal Helmy's collection to be included in their Canadian Museum of History. Mr. Galal Helmy donated one of the Norval Morrisseau's artworks to the same institution "Self Portrait, 1986", which was exhibited at "NORVAL MORRISSEAU - SHAMAN ARTIST" held at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario from February 3rd to April 30th, 2006. This was the first solo exhibition featuring a First Nations artist in 126-year history of the National Gallery of Canada.

---

"The Great Creator", 23"x96", © 1976 Norval Morrisseau;

Acrylic painting on stretched Canvas

Mr. Galal Helmy's Authentication/Appraisal of Norval
Morrisseau's "The Great Creator"; Dated October 14, 2007

"Genuine 'Randy Potter Morrisseau painting' appraised for $100,000"

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>> In a court judgement Hatfield vs. Artworld of Sherway /Court File No. SC-09-087264-0000/ Judge Paul J. Martial stated the following:

"The Court finds that there is overwhelming evidence that Norval Morrisseau signed paintings in black brush paint.”

(Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 34)

NOTE: Genuine Norval Morrisseau painting involved in this court case was also acquired from Randy Potter Estate Auctions and appraised by Mr. Joseph McLeod (1928-2017).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

"Untitled" [Merman], 17"x38", © 1987 Norval Morrisseau

~ acrylic on stretched deer hide; ACQUIRED DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST 

/Click on image to enlarge and/or click HERE for detail of the Cree syllabics signature on front and click HERE to view this painting's reverse side/

"Nepii-Naba, the merman, who brought good luck to those who offered him tobacco and, in return, helped Indians to travel safely on lakes and rivers." ~ Norval Morrisseau *

-

Mr. Galal Helmy with Mr. David Barnes, September 2006

This painting was acquired by Mr. David Barnes from Mr. Galal Helmy is a deer hide signed ‘Copper Thunderbird’ in Cree syllabics on the front and was stretched over a wood frame (click HERE & HERE).

Dr. Trudy Nicks, who was Senior Curator in the World Cultures Department at The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) received this artwork from Mr. Barnes on November 19th, 2008 as she intended to purchase it on behaf of this prominent instutution. ROM placed it in their cryogenic freezer while they actively searched for donations to buy it. They kept it for a year but it was returned to Mr. Barnes on November 25th, 2009 by Ms. Tracy Forster, technician in the World Cultures Department at ROM as their institution was not able to raise the necessary funds. So Mr. Barnes kept it in the museum packaging and put it in storage (click HERE).



Dr. Trudy Nicks - Senior Curator
at Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
/Retired/



This painting which has not really needed a formal authentication as it originates from the prominent collection of Mr. Galal Helmy who acquired this artwork directly from the artist, was nevertheless re-authenticated by reliable outside sources. The request for re-authentication on behalf of the ROM was made by Dr. Trudy Nicks* of the Royal Ontario Museum and was successfully completed.

Note: Dr. Trudy Nicks was present in Red Lake, Ontario (Summer 2008) when Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS) labeled genuine Norval Morrisseau artworks forgeries. (click HERE)

* Member of the defunct Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS)

* Genuine ink drawing on paper in this post: "Self Portrait"; © 1986 Norval Morrisseau; Mr. Helmy's donation to Canadian Museum of Civilization. This artwork was originally published in a book: "NORVAL MORRISSEAU: SHAMAN ARTIST", © 2006 Greg A. Hill - National Gallery of Canada; ISBN 1-55365-176-6