Christian Morrisseau

(1969- )

Artist’s Statement:

“I speak as one son, an artist, and an Ojibwe. Both my brother David and I are born artists. This is not by accident. We work with and out of Anishnabe myths that have become the mark of the Woodland School of Art.

Each of us has had to contend with the terrible strength of our father’s vision. We are not alone. Such was his ability, there is hardly a Native artist who does not learn from Norval’s artistic strength.

My father taught by being. He never gave lessons. Art to him was waking in the morning. Art was revelation of the Ojibwe history. Art was getting ready for bed. We didn’t name it. We just knew it. We lived Norval Morrisseau’s art.

My brother and I sit solidly within the scope of Woodland Art – yet we are seen as different and alone.”

Christian was born on December 11, 1969 and raised in Red Lake, Ontario. He now currently lives between Thunder Bay and Keewaywin First Nation, Ontario. He is the son of the renowned Woodland Artist, Norval Morriseau and Harriet Morriseau. Christian is the youngest of seven children. And is the 2nd to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Christian is an accomplished artist in his own right. His love of this style of art was traditionally passed down to him by his father, Norval, who in turn learned from his grandfather, Potan. Potan was a well-known and respected traditional Shaman. Christian spent four months learning and listening to his father's teachings and began painting in May 2002. He wanted to celebrate his gift and keep the Morriseau's family traditions and stories alive.

Christian paints in the Woodland style, which was developed by his father Norval upon receiving a vision instructing him to do so. Today there are well over 400 followers including Christian that paint in the Woodland style. Christian paints his animal images, landscape, his father and children, his tradition, his legends. Christian is developing his artistic gifts with intensity, discipline, and passion. He is a producer and his works sell well in many markets.

Christian is a devout student of his father’s art yet continues to develop his artistic gifts with intensity, discipline, and passion. This passion and devotion are reflected in the success of his pieces, which sell well in many markets and are widely accepted by art lovers. Christian has donated works to charitable organizations including; youth organizations, diabetes organizations, to the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation ‘Treaty 9 ‘ where Christian is from, the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition and The Outdoor Writers of Canada.
Christian also teaches the Woodland art style to both native and non-native students in Thunder Bay and across other northwestern Ontario communities. Christian Morrisseau’s work can be found throughout Canada in Ottawa, Toronto, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Qualicum.
Recent Exhibitions:

2003: Gallery Suniamin, solo exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
2004: Copper Thunderbird Gallery, exhition with Wolf Morrisseau, Thunder Bay, Ontario
2007: Calligrammes Gallery, solo exhibition, Ottawa, Ontario
2007: 2008:- Artworld Sherway, solo exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
2008:  House of the Spirit Bear, solo exhibition, Vancouver, British Columbia

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