Moose and Calf 1994

Norval Morrisseau's 'Moose and Calf', maybe done in the 60's, uses bold lines and simple shapes to bring these animals to life on what looks like a piece of brown paper. I love how the painting isn’t trying to be realistic. It's more about a feeling, an essence of moose-ness. The texture looks smooth, probably done with acrylic paint, which is kind of flat, you know? But then you see these details, like the red outlines filled with blocks on the moose's body. It's like a map, or a code. The black legs are so thin, they look almost fragile compared to the bulk of the bodies. It reminds me a little of Matisse's cut-outs, how he used simple shapes to create these really dynamic compositions. But Morrisseau is doing something different, he’s telling a story, maybe about family, or about the land. It’s not about perfection, it’s about connection. It’s a reminder that art can be so many things, and that’s what makes it so exciting.