Monday, July 1, 2013

"RED LAKE INCIDENT" - Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society Exposed

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> IMPORTANT POST... NINE YEARS IN THE MAKING <

Revised on October 31st, 2017

~ In-depth analysis of incident when NMHS members labeled genuine Norval Morrisseau artworks forgeries

"Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980" © by Christine Penner Polle, Researcher/Writer & Reggie Bacon, Research Assistant; 2008 Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre


>>> In this post you will read about professor of Art  Dr. Ruth Phillips (Professor of Art History at Carleton University) and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill (Curator of Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Canada & member of the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators - CAPC), who are directors* of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS), falsely identifying five genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings owned by Blog Master Mr. Ugo Matulic as FAKES in Red Lake, Ontario in July 2008. These paintings were removed from the book "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980". These same paintings, signed on the back by the artist using drybrush (DB) technique, have since been authenticated by Forensic Science in 2011 and 2013 by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta). 


 Introduction:

Norval Morrisseau @ NMHS, Toronto October 2005 [1]

> ARE THESE GENUINE NORVAL MORRISSEAU PAINTINGS EVER GOING TO BE SUBMITTED FOR AN INDEPENDENT SIGNATURE FORENSIC ANALYSIS?


"The Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society was allegedly established at the request of the artist MORE THAN TWELVE YEARS AGO even though he could no longer talk, and mentally he had “left the building.” They were supposed to research, document and preserve Norval Morrisseau's artistic achievement and protect the integrity of his art. They were supposed to achieve this mission by establishing and maintaining a registry of his works, publishing and updating a catalogue raisonne of his artistic output and providing the necessary expertise to authenticate his art."

[1] - For background history related to this blog post's photo illustration, which involve members of the NMHS observing genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings submitted to NMHS by Mr. Donald Robinson of Kinsman Robinson Galleries, please read "Norval Morrisseau Declarations Are Hoax /Michele and Gabor Vadas Exposed/ (Part I)" & "Norval Morrisseau Declarations Are Hoax /Michele and Gabor Vadas Exposed/ (Part II)".

NOTE: The paintings submitted to NMHS were all purchased over the period between late 1999 and early 2000 by Mr. Donald Robinson from Randy Potter Estate Auction. All of these genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings were signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique.

Also, click HERE to read about the first Norval Morrisseau painting "ever to be authenticated BEYOND 'DNA' CERTAINTY". 

~ For an in-depth analysis involving genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings signed by the artist with a DB technique click HERE


      Dr. Ruth Phillips                    Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill  

>>> Dr. Ruth Phillips (Professor of Art History at Carleton University) and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill (Curator of Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Canada & member of the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators - CAPC), who are directors* of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS), falsely identified genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings owned by Blog Master Mr. Ugo Matulic as FAKES in Red Lake, Ontario in July 2008, and had these paintings removed from the book "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980".
















* - other NMHS directors who were present at the "Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists" in 2008 were Mr. John Zemanovich (a former director) and Dr. Trudy Nicks (a current director). Mr. John MacGregor Newman, Associate Director of Kinsman Robinson Galleries , Joseph McLeod (1928-2017)   owner of Maslak McLeod Gallery, Armand Ruffo, Morrisseau's biographer and Goyce Kakegamic, one of the founders and former Triple K Co-operative member were also present - click HERE for background info on the event. 

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"On the other hand, there are those dealers - including Joseph McLeod and collectors like Ugo Matulic and Joseph Otavnik - who believe that the issue of fakes is really a non-issue, a trumped-up conspiracy by Kinsman Robinsonand Gabe Vadas to corner the market."

Armand Garnet Ruffo (NORVAL MORRISSEAU 'Man Changing into Thunderbird2014; Page 290) 

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List of  "Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists" Sponsors; including Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Kinsman Robinson Galleries and Maslak McLeod Gallery (Click to Enlarge).



The Following is a chronology of communication between Ms. Michele Alderton and Norval Morrisseau Blog Master, Ugo Matulic a.k.a. Spirit Walker in connection with artwork which was to be included in the "Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists", held on Red Lake, Ontario from July 4th-6th, 2008:




Michele Alderton

1. On December 10th, 2007 Ms. Angie Littlefield, writer, curator, communications Specialist of Toronto, Ontario introduced myself to Ms. Michele Alderton, former director/curator of Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre of Red Lake, Ontario (click HERE; Page 1). Ms. Littlefield suggested to Ms. Alderton to use the Norval Morrisseau Blog as a promotional platform for the "Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists" which I had promoted from June 1st, to July 7th, 2008 on a daliy basis.

2. Ms. Michele Alderton contacted me on March 13th, 2008 and asked me if I could post "a press release concerning the Festival being organized in Red Lake", which I did (click HERE; Page 2 & 3.)

3. On March 14th, 2008 Ms. Alderton thanked me "for helping her community preserve Morrisseau's legacy and promote their special tribute to him (click HERE; Page 4.)

4. I had several conversations with her and she liked my idea that I share with her several images of genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings for possible inclusion of this artworks into the "Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists." I sent her several images of the paintings from my personal collection for observation and evaluation (click HERE; Page 4 & 5.)

5. On May 8th, 2008 Ms. Michele Alderton thanked me for sending her images of genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings and she thanked me for promoting the festival also (click HERE; Page 6.)




6. On May 9th, 2008 I had received a correspondence from Mr. Robert Lavack that he was also asked to contribute to the "Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists" by Ms. Michele Alderton (click HERE; Page 7.) 

7. On June 9th, 2008 I received a Ms. Michele Alderton's selection of genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings from my personal collection that Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre was willing to exhibit at "Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists" the following month. Ms. Alderton also expressed that she "loves my collection"  (click HERE; Page 8, 9 & 10.) 

8. On June 12th, 2008 Ms. Michele Alderton sent me the loan agreement (for genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings from my art collection) which was modeled after the National Gallery of Canada form (click HERE; Page 11.)

9. On June 15th, 2008 Ms. Michele Alderton sent me her recollections and her photo to be included on the Norval Morrisseau Blog (click HERE; Page 12.)

Prior the official opening of the "Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists" Ms. Michele Alderton informed me that she had to remove five images of genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings from the Official Version of the book Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980" per request of members of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS); Dr. Ruth Phillips and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill.

I have asked her to provide me a copy of the first version of the book Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980" and she promised that she would send me one copy for my records.


10. On July 28th, 2008 I had received an e-mail from Ms. Michele Alderton and she confirmed that she had found "a copy of the original book which includes images I sent her." She thanked me again for help in promoting the event. She noted that she would send me "the original book" at no cost and that she would bill be for the official version of the book titled "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980" (click HERE; Page 13.)

Shortly after, I had received both copies for my records (Click
HERE to see front pages of the "original book" and an "official version" of it; See on the "original book" front cover the Ms. Alderton's dedication 'Spirit Walker' in the top right.) I, also, received a thank you card from Ms. Michele Alderton.


IMPORTANT NOTE:

I contacted Ms. Michele Alderton in July 2012 and told her that Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Donald Robinson and Paul Robinson launched $1,000,000 SLAPP suit against me.

I told her that I would in my defence present the case of the "RED LAKE INCIDENT" where members of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS); Dr. Ruth Phillips and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill  called paintings from my personal collection FAKES, and that was the reason why these images were removed from the book "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980."

Our conversation ended with her simple response: " Please, do not drag me into this!"


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"Though Kinsman Robinson Galleries web blogs have personally accused Matulic of being an “ignorant Croatian,” Matulic is a shining example of how passionate new Canadians have immeasurably helped to enrich the cultural life of Canada."

Source: http://themorrisseauhoaxexposedblog.com/

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Kinsman Robinson Galleries vs. Ugo Matulic /CV-10-417123/
/CASE WON BY THE DEFENDANT/




Below presented are five genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings falsely identified as FAKES by members of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS); Dr. Ruth Phillips and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill.






























"Untitled" (Sweat Lodge Ceremony), 56"x28",

© 1962 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Canvas ~

Provenance: Private Collection of Mr. Rolf Schnieders (1928-2015), Thunder Bay, Ontario /Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/


Click HERE to view two page .PDF document of "Before & After" image of the page 44 from "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980"; it clearly shows image of the above presented genuine Norval Morrisseau painting being removed from the book as it was considered a FAKE by members of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS); Dr. Ruth Phillips and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill


Signature on reverse side of this canvas was certified by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta) to be a "true signature of Norval Morrisseau." (click HERE for this Forensic report dated November 10th, 2011).


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Dr. Carmen Robertson noted that Mr. Schnieders was "well-known conduit for Morrisseau's paintings in the Thunder Bay region" and was "actively handling works by the artist since 1960s. He operated small store on May St., in Thunder Bay ON called 'Yesterday's Treasures' for a number of years and this was one way he sold works by Morrisseau."

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"Untitled" (Sweat Lodge Ceremony), 32"x26",

© 1963 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Canvas ~

Provenance: Private Collection of Mr. Rolf Schnieders (1928-2015), Thunder Bay, Ontario /Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/


Click HERE to view two page .PDF document of "Before & After" image of the page 57 from "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980"; it clearly shows image of the above presented genuine Norval Morrisseau painting being removed from the book as it was considered a FAKE by members of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS); Dr. Ruth Phillips and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill.


Signature on reverse side of this canvas was certified by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta) to be a "true signature of Norval Morrisseau." (click HERE for this Forensic report dated May 3rd, 2013).

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Dr. Carmen Robertson noted that Mr. Schnieders was "well-known conduit for Morrisseau's paintings in the Thunder Bay region" and was "actively handling works by the artist since 1960s. He operated small store on May St., in Thunder Bay ON called 'Yesterday's Treasures' for a number of years and this was one way he sold works by Morrisseau."

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"Wasakajak, 8"x13",
© 1964 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Birch bark ~
Provenance: Private Collection of Mr. Rolf Schnieders (1928-2015), Thunder Bay, Ontario /Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

Click HERE to view two page .PDF document of "Before & After" image of the page 61 from "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980"; it clearly shows image of the above presented genuine Norval Morrisseau painting being removed from the book as it was considered a FAKE by members of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS); Dr. Ruth Phillips and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill.

Signature on reverse side of this birch bark was certified by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta) to be a "true signature of Norval Morrisseau." (click HERE for this Forensic report dated May 3rd, 2013).

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Dr. Carmen Robertson noted that Mr. Schnieders was "well-known conduit for Morrisseau's paintings in the Thunder Bay region" and was "actively handling works by the artist since 1960s. He operated small store on May St., in Thunder Bay ON called 'Yesterday's Treasures' for a number of years and this was one way he sold works by Morrisseau."

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"Untitled" (Double-headed Serpent), 21"x32",
© 1965 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Canvas ~
Provenance: Private Collection of Mr. Rolf Schnieders (1928-2015), Thunder Bay, Ontario /Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

Click HERE to view two page .PDF document of "Before & After" image of the page 64 from "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980"; it clearly shows image of the above presented genuine Norval Morrisseau painting being removed from the book as it was considered a FAKE by members of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS); Dr. Ruth Phillips and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill.


Signature on reverse side of this canvas was certified by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta) to be a "true signature of Norval Morrisseau." (click HERE for this Forensic report dated May 3rd, 2013).

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Dr. Carmen Robertson noted that Mr. Schnieders was "well-known conduit for Morrisseau's paintings in the Thunder Bay region" and was "actively handling works by the artist since 1960s. He operated small store on May St., in Thunder Bay ON called 'Yesterday's Treasures' for a number of years and this was one way he sold works by Morrisseau."

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"Blue Heron", 12"x7",
© 1967 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Birch bark ~
Provenance: Private Collection of Mr. Rolf Schnieders (1928-2015), Thunder Bay, Ontario /Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/



Click HERE to view two page .PDF document of "Before & After" image of the page 67 from "Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists: The Red Lake Years 1959 - 1980"; it clearly shows image of the above presented genuine Norval Morrisseau painting being removed from the book as it was considered a FAKE by members of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS); Dr. Ruth Phillips and Mr. Gregory (Greg) Hill.



Signature on reverse side of this birch bark was evaluated by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta) (click HERE for this Forensic report dated May 3rd, 2013).

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Dr. Carmen Robertson noted that Mr. Schnieders was "well-known conduit for Morrisseau's paintings in the Thunder Bay region" and was "actively handling works by the artist since 1960s. He operated small store on May St., in Thunder Bay ON called 'Yesterday's Treasures' for a number of years and this was one way he sold works by Morrisseau."

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Additional related information:

Another member of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS) who falsely identified genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings as FAKES and coming form the same source was an associate professor of contemporary Aboriginal art history in the Department of Visual Arts, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan Dr. Carmen Robertson. 
























"Spirit Energy of Mother Earth", 
 © 1974 Norval Morrisseau
~ Click HERE to view the inscription on canvas VERSO
Provenance: Purchased from Randy Potter Estate Auctions in Pickering, Ontario; sold to Mr. Kevin Hearn by Mr. Joseph McLeod (1928-2017) of Maslak McLeod Gallery (Toronto, Ontario) & exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on June 11th, 2010 (click HERE).

Note: One of the bidders for this artwork was Mr. Allan Lawson of Orangeville, Ontario (now Mono, Ontario). He was not successful in acquiring this genuine Norval Morrisseau painting. Also, it is important to mention that Mr. Lawson sold one of his genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings to Mr. David Barnes, also from Orangeville, Ontario (now Mono, Ontario). This painting was appraised by Mr. Galal Helmy for $100,000 (click HERE for more information). 

> On September 25th, 2017, Forensic Document Examiner and Handwriting Expert Kenneth J Davies, of Hawkeye Studios, Calgary, Alberta, has authenticated “Spirit Energy of Mother Earth” as signed by Norval Morrisseau... This expert's report is available for a FREE DOWNLOAD.


Dr. Carmen Robertson















* Member of the defunct Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society (NMHS)




... All the parties mentioned in post presented on this platform are free to comment on this blog's findings under condition that they present their statements and opinions which are backed up with documentation to support these statements and these opinions.

ONLY statements and opinions which are supported with corresponding documentation will be published on this platform for public record and possible discussion.

Also, this invitation extends not just to the individuals and organizations mentioned on this platform but to all Norval Morrisseau's admirers, researchers, investigators, news reporters and art collectors as long as they verifiably disclose their identity...

... Your assistance is needed now! Your actions will greatly benefit your art as an investment and safeguard Norval Morrisseau's Legacy.

Thank you/Miigwetch,
ugo.matulic@norvalmorrisseau.com

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"ALL THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS PLATFORM FROM ITS INCEPTION IS BASED ON DATA COLLECTED FROM THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND OTHER VERIFIABLE SOURCES."

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>>> In a recent court judgement "Hatfield vs. Artworld of Sherway" /Court File No. SC-09-087264-0000/ Judge Paul J. Martial stated the following about Mr. Joseph McLeod of Maslak McLeod Gallery:

“He demonstrated a superior depth of knowledge of Morrisseau…” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 25)


“The testimony of Mr. Joseph McLeod is indicative of his care and the detailed effort to confirm provenance, including the hiring of a forensic expert to examine the signature on the back of the painting indicate that he took his role to provide appraisals seriously. His testimony… demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the painter due to his lengthy association with the artist.”
(Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 35)


"His (Ritchie Sinclair's) methodology in identifying forgeries is clearly inadequate and suspect since he testified that he does not even view the original paintings before condemning them as fakes." (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 16)

"Mr. Robinson (of Kinsman Robinson Galleries) was qualified as an expert in the area of valuation and appraisal. His testimony however overlapped into the area of handwriting and included an analysis of syllabic and English handwriting, areas for which he was not qualified.

"He has no formal training as an expert witness in handwriting analysis and his evidence is rejected. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)


"Dr. Singla's forensic evidence is preferred in this regard and his finding that it is highly probable that the painting "Wheel of Life" was painted by Norval Morrisseau was supported by his detailed technical analysis of known signatures of' Norval Morrisseau. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)


"The Court finds that there is overwhelming evidence that Norval Morrisseau signed paintings in black brush paint.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 34)

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