Norval Morrisseau: Return to the House of Invention
Foreword by L. Diane Kinsman & Preface by Robert Houle
4to. pp. 160. profusely illustrated. bibliography. index. hardcover. dw. (fine condition). [Toronto]: Key Porter Books, [2005].
ISBN-10: 1552637263 / ISBN-13: 9781552637265
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
A breathtaking retrospective of Canadas most important Native artist.Norval Morrisseau is perhaps the greatest Native artist ever to have lived. He is a shaman, a storyteller and the inspiration for one of Canadas most vibrant and exciting art movements, the Woodland School of Art. Through his magical paintings he has given new life to ancient Native legends and fables and has helped to restore the dignity of his once-proud people. This new edition introduces numerous previously unpublished works to the book, as well as commentaries by collectors who have followed Morrisseaus artistic development through the decades. It also includes Duke Redbirds The Ballad of Noval Morrisseau, a deeply spiritual poem that personifies the power the artists paintings have for his people. A true celebration of the art and life of this remarkable man, Norval Morrisseau: Return to the House of Invention, provides insights into the artists imagination and mastery of his medium. In three essays, and the quotations that accompany the paintings, we learn about Morrisseaus approach to his work and the important historical and cultural influences that shaped his art. He tells us, in his own words, about his travels to the dream-like House of Invention, his source of inspiration for both content and colour. In Norval Morrisseau: Return to the House of Invention, we learn of the myths and legends of his ancestors, which had a profound influence on his brush, and how they relate to his work. The book now contains paintings and other pieces created over Morrisseaus entire career . It is complemented by an essay by Donald C. Robinson, in which he describes the painters unique approach to the physical act of painting, and explains how Morrisseau has developed as a master technician and colorist despite having little formal training. Norval Morrisseau is truly one of the most original and significant artists Canada has ever produced. This exceptional volume stands as a testament to both his incredible talent as a painter and his inspiring depth as a man.