Artist's sons endorse different organizations to authenticate works
Hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake in the dispute between the Morrisseau Family Foundation, publicly launched last month by Morrisseau's son Christian, and the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society, a group of academics endorsed by Gabe Vadas, a man Morrisseau considers to be his son.
At issue is which organization is arbiter of the works created by Morrisseau, an Ojibway artist whose paintings sell for as much as $100,000.
The spirits control Morrisseau's talent and his legacy, via his blood son Christian. Christian is also a painter. The man named Gabe Vadas and his cultivated circle of academics, gallery owners and powerful lawyers is a complete see through ghosttown of greed.They are too afraid to come right out and say Norvals son,Christian who is talented...is the "faker" and "stealer".That would look bad to the most of us. We value our families and Norval having a son, who is a painter and rightful shaman cannot be ignored or denied. To do so takes away the "hero" element they are attempting to cultivate.The man named Gabe should be very ashamed of his actions.
ReplyDeleteI began to read about the story and found Norvals REAL son's website.
http://www.christianmorrisseau.com/index.htm
I leave the above post in love and respect for both father Norval and son Christian. May they work together towards educating the entire world on the beauty of Anishinaabek peoples through their spirit given talents.
ReplyDeleteNorval Morrisseau supposedly considers Gabe Vadas his "son." If true, that's Morrisseau's position as well as Vadas's. But I don't know the truth of the situation.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks for your comments.
Gabe Vadas and his wife Michele are solely responsible for Norval Morrisseau's health and well-being. The Vadas' have proven themselves to be outstanding caregivers over the years never losing Norval Morrisseau's trust. We applaud them for excelling at this task when others failed.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the Vadas family: There is no evidence to suggest they took great care of Norval except the word of Gabe Vadas himself. Also, I have seen nothing other than quotes by Gabe himself that Norval considered him his "adopted son." I also read in an interview that Gabe stated the children never took any interest in their father - yet on the Christian Morrisseau website, there are photos of Christan and his father. So I think this is something that is not clear enough for us to make such strong comments about. Seems to me Gabe and Norval were codependent. That is not necessarily evidence of a healthy relationship. Also have to wonder why the Morrisseau family have hired a lawyer to deal with Gabe... Could be we don't have all the facts.
ReplyDeleteNo evidence...except that Norval wouldn't take his meds from anyone other than Gabe and Michele. If it weren't for them, Norval would have passed away far earlier. A photo op doesn't prove sincerity either.
ReplyDeletenorval died broke...wow...such good caregivers...give them a medal!
ReplyDeletei truly dislike the last comment Friends of Morrisseau made...in regards to...where other's failed...i hope it is not referring to his sons and daughters...such a rudeness i say...we Natives care for our elderly...not stick them in nursing homes...shut away from the world...it's heartbreaking to think about how...he must have felt during his last years...RIP Norval...may you be rejoicing and laughing with Harriet in Heaven...we know your children loved and respected you regardless of what others think or say.
ReplyDelete