Boy with Fish 1976

Norval Morrisseau created this painting, "Boy with Fish," using acrylic on canvas. Morrisseau was a self-taught artist of Ojibwe descent whose work is notable for drawing on the pictographic traditions of his people. Here, we see a young boy flanked by two fish. The clean lines and bright colours are typical of the Woodland School style that Morrisseau founded. His work is a powerful example of art's potential to challenge social norms; Morrisseau was among the first Indigenous artists to depict traditional spiritual knowledge on canvas, breaking with cultural norms against sharing such information with outsiders. To understand Morrisseau's work fully, we need to consider the historical context of Indigenous art in Canada, marked by cultural suppression and the residential school system. Art history isn't just about aesthetics; it's about understanding the complex interplay between art, culture, and power. By consulting archives, oral histories, and Indigenous perspectives, we can gain a richer understanding of Morrisseau's contribution to Canadian art history.