After spending four decades in storage, a large painting by Ojibway artist Norval Morrisseau has been revealed at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in northwestern Ontario. The artwork, named the Morrisseau Masterwork, measures 6.7 meters in length and slightly over three meters in height, and had not been publicly displayed since 1986.
On loan from EA Studios Calgary, the painting is being displayed in collaboration with the gallery to mount the canvas on a stretcher for preservation. The mural, crafted in the Woodland Style, showcases a scene featuring adults, children, animals, birds, and spiritual entities within a natural setting.
Joseph Helmy, the director of EA Studios Calgary, expressed his excitement about unveiling the piece, describing it as a spiritually powerful artwork that transcends words. Helmy emphasized the painting’s potential to unite people, echoing the artist’s intention to bridge Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through his creations.
The relationship between Helmy’s family and Morrisseau dates back to 1985, when Helmy’s father sponsored the artist’s work following a recommendation from a Winnipeg art dealer. Morrisseau painted the piece specifically for Helmy’s father but it had never been publicly exhibited, except for a couple of showings in Edmonton and the last showcase in 1986.
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has been collaborating with EA Studios Calgary since 2025 to present the artwork to the public. Helmy highlighted the significance of showcasing the painting in the birthplace of Norval Morrisseau, underscoring the gallery’s role in reintroducing the piece to the public eye.
Norval Morrisseau, credited as the grandfather of contemporary Indigenous art in Canada, passed away in 2007 at the age of 75. The Thunder Bay gallery’s executive director, Matthew Hills, emphasized the uniqueness of the painting as a single large piece, marking a shift in Morrisseau’s artistic exploration towards larger canvases.
Hills noted that the painting serves as an opportunity for the gallery to delve into Morrisseau’s early work, which has not been extensively discussed in the past four decades. The gallery invites the public to view the Morrisseau Masterwork on display until January 3, encouraging visitors to witness the restoration of this significant artwork.
