Norval Morrisseau

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Introduction:

Christian Chapman’s “Future” is a 75.5 by 96 cm mixed media piece on canvas and a part of his 2026 triptych “The Past, Present, and Future of the Anishinaabe People”. The triptych addresses the connection between the Aboriginal roots and the British royalty. Chapman combined a manipulated image of Canadian Autumn Philipps, who married Queen Elizabeth’s oldest grandson Peter Phillips, wearing a crown/head dress, and oil paint to create a Norval Morrisseau inspired piece with the flamboyant colours and Woodlands pattern. Tåhe painting consists of organic, bean-like shapes that formed the figure and features striking colours of different intensities and shades such as green, blue, and pink, which also served as the background colour. …show more content…

I will also be showcasing depictions of the floor plan and the technicalities that will be included to create an experience out of the exhibit. Space/Location/Display:

When you see Christian Chapman’s painting Future, there is no doubt it will remind you of Norval Morrisseau’s work. This Anishinaabe artist’s work is very significant in Indigenous Art. Based on a piece written by Canadian journalist Barbara Sibbald, Morrisseau lies on his spirituality and imagination, and reclaiming his cultural heritage including Anishinaabe legends. Morrisseau relied on his imagination as the powerhouse of his art practice. He believed in the “House of Invention”, the source of all knowledge and invention and an astral plane where ‘all the inventions, all the past… the things mankind will ever build, paint, draw…’ lives on. Artists supposedly visit the House of Invention and are able to use whatever they were able to pick up there for the benefit of their art. According to Morrisseau, the House of Invention gave him colour. He saw that the world we live in is ‘in dark and is even getting darker, and it needs to be brighter’, so he started using colours to make things brighter. He …show more content…

The House of Invention is a significant place for artists as this is where revelations about their art and essentially themselves. When I idealize this place, I see it as a magical and dreamy realm with colourful decorations. The log/wood benches and the fog give off a mystical vibe, recreating a forest-like environment. The use of black walls and fluorescent elements such as the floor, labels, and letterings create a great contrast. I believe that the contrast and vibrancy of the colours will accentuate the pieces. In addition, the use of spot lighting also draws more attention to the pieces, especially in dimly lit rooms. I feel that it would also be appropriate to set an intimate, feminine ambiance, which relates to the fact that the artwork celebrates female influence. I want the audience to feel like they’re stepping into the House of Invention and perhaps even discover some revelations about themselves. As the audience circulate through the exhibit, they will feel the mystic and protection of the art and culture Indigenous artists such as Christian Chapman and Norval Morrisseau have been fighting to preserve. The exhibit will be the Future of the House of Invention, which could also serve as the

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