LOoooNLOOONLOONN:

Owls, Loons, and Thunderbirds in the work of Norval Morrisseau

June 21 >> Sept 15, 2024

A selection of works from the Permanent Collection looking at birds as motif in the work of Norval Morrisseau. This exhibition was inspired by The Thunderbird Poems (2015) of poet and writer Armand Garnet Ruffo. This book is a formidable collection of poetry written in response to paintings by Ojibway artist Norval Morrisseau (1932- 2007) from Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation. In the gallery, a selection of poems is in new conversation with paintings, prints, and drawings by Morrisseau from our Permanent Collection, one of the largest collections of works by the artist in the world. With a focus on loons, owls, and Thunderbirds, this exhibition examines bird imagery as a central motif in Morrisseau’s work. Also presented is a singular carving by the artist, a wooden goose decoy, on view for the first time.

This exhibition is a part of Under the Sun: Summer Party

Image 1: Norval Morrisseau, Untitled, acrylic on paper, 1980 c

Image 2: Norval Morrisseau, Untitled [six loons], acrylic on paper, 1980 c

Image 3: Norval Morrisseau, Untitled [Three Birds], acrylic on paper, nd

Image 4: Norval Morrisseau, Untitled, acrylic on paper, 1980 c