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Nac Essay Draft on Norval Morrisseau and Daphne Odjig
Norval Morrisseau and Daphne Odjig are both indigenous artists that at first glance one might assume that their work is quite similar, however there are numerous differences. This paper will examine both of the similarities and differences through an examination of their lives in conjunction with the elements and principles of design.
Four paintings in this paper would be examined. These four paintings are “Conquest of the Thunderbird” and “Medicine Bear” by Norval Morrisseau, and “Enfolding” and “Spiritual Renewal” by Daphne Odjig. I would compare the Lines, Color, texture, shade, rhythm, balance, saturation, contrast, and the techniques each of these artists applies to their paintings.

The four pictures below are some of Norval Morrisseau’s and Daphne Odjig’s paintings. Conquest of the Thunderbird Medicine Bear Norval Morrisseau Enfolding Spiritual Renewal Daphne Odjig

Norval Morrisseau was born on March 14th, 1932 in Fort William, now part of Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was the eldest boy in his family and was raised by his grandparents with Anishnaabe tradition. Morrisseau grew up on Sandy Point reserve. While his grandmother introduces him to Catholicism, his grandfather shared his stories with Morrisseau that he learned from his grandfather, the stories of some Anishnaabe myths and legends. Morrisseau’s grandparents had great impacts on him, which is also reflected in his artwork. He was later sent to a Catholic Residential school, where he endured and witnessed physical, sexual and emotional abuse. After spending two years in the residential school, Morrisseau returned home and spent another two years attending a community school before it came to an end. Morrisseau wanted to continue his learning even though he wasn’t attending the community school anymore, even though teachers aren’t teaching him anymore, his grandfather was still his biggest teacher because of all the stories and experiences he shared to Morrisseau. Morrisseau dreamed to one day be a Shaman. Morrisseau loved to draw and make art, he was a natural born artist. He then merged these two identities together, a shaman and an artist, into one. Even though Morrisseau didn’t get much formal education, he had a passion for art and was the first Woodland art painter. Norval Morrisseau passed away on December 4th, 2007. Daphne Odjig was born on September 11th, 1919 in Wikwemikong, on Manitoulin island, Ontario. Coming from a native background-Potawatomi and Odawa-she was proud of the art and culture of her ancestors. Artistry ran in her family, her grandfather would love to carve, sketch and paint, and her father was a talented musician who also loved to paint. Odjig grew up on a dairy farm along with three siblings, she was the eldest one out of the three. She had some dreams about becoming a teacher, but she got sick with rheumatic fever and was forced to miss school. This was actually a positive thing because she got time to know her mother and grandfather, who influenced her art and was passed away when Odjig was 18. After her loss, she moved to Parry Sound, Ontario. She then changed her name to “Fisher”, because of some racism she was dealing with in Parry Sound. During the World War II, she relocated to Toronto for work. When her two children were at school, she would always go to art museums and experiment with new ways of painting. She learned about the golden ratio, Itten color theory, shading, and other art techniques that Morrisseau didn’t learn. These art techniques influenced the way she created her art, and that Is why most of Odjig’s art pieces resemble the golden ratio. Daphne Odjig is still living to this day. Norval Morrisseau and Daphne Odjig’s art may seem similar, they are both woodland art and their colors are sort of similar too-a very earthy tone, but

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