Bear and Fish In Cycle 

Norval Morrisseau’s vibrant painting, Bear and Fish In Cycle, uses acrylic on canvas to depict interconnected figures. This synthetic medium allowed for a departure from traditional materials, opening up new possibilities for Indigenous expression within a modern art context. Morrisseau, an Anishinaabe artist, developed a unique style known as Woodland School, characterized by bold colors and thick black outlines, reminiscent of traditional Ojibwe birchbark scrolls and pictographs. The flat application of paint, typical of acrylic, emphasizes the graphic quality of the composition, reinforcing its connection to Indigenous visual language. The layering of colors within the forms adds depth and dimension. By embracing readily available, mass-produced materials, Morrisseau positioned his work within a larger narrative of cultural reclamation and self-representation. His art embodies a powerful assertion of Indigenous identity within the contemporary world.