Statement from Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian on the Passing of Norval Morrisseau

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Smithsonian's
 National Museum of the American Indian acknowledges with great sadness the
 passing of one of the most important artists in the history of indigenous
 art, Norval Morrisseau.
 
 
 
     "He was a role model, visionary and seminal force throughout Native
 America and Canada," said Kevin Gover (Pawnee), director of the
 Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. "We were especially
 fortunate to have the great man himself present at the opening of his major
 retrospective, 'Norval Morrisseau: Shaman Artist,' at our New York City
 museum. Through his groundbreaking and vibrant works, he positioned his
 rich indigenous heritage squarely within modern art; a revolutionary and
 uplifting achievement that influences contemporary culture through today."
 
 
 
     John Haworth (Cherokee), director of the National Museum of the
 American Indian's George Gustav Heye Center, where the Norval Morrisseau
 retrospective is currently on view said, "This is a great loss for both the
 Native and artistic communities of the world. We are honored to have an
 exhibition of his powerful work on view at this sad time. As I walked
 through the galleries this morning, I contemplated how his works have
 uplifted and inspired countless viewers and also have encouraged hundreds
 of Native artists to realize their own dreams."
 
 
 
     Link to the exhibition press release:
 http://www.nmai.si.edu/press/releases/2007-06-15_Morrisseau.pdf.
 
 
 
 
 

SOURCE The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian