Otter And Circle Of Life 1991

"Otter And Circle Of Life" by Norval Morrisseau, painted in 2007, presents a fascinating exploration of color and form. The way he lays down those colors, right next to each other, not blended but vibrating - it's like the painting is breathing. The physicality of the paint is striking. Thick black lines boldly define the otter and the surrounding circles, but within that outline, we see these pulsating bands of color, turquoise, red, orange, that create this sense of inner energy. Look at the eye, a swirl of concentric circles, and how it connects to the larger circles around the otter’s body. Morrisseau’s work reminds me a little of Hilma af Klint, in the way that he uses simple forms and vibrant colors to express complex ideas about life and spirituality. Like her paintings, "Otter And Circle Of Life" invites us to contemplate the mysteries of existence, embracing the ambiguity and multiple interpretations that make art so compelling.