Dreaming of the Astral Plane 1995

Curator: Norval Morrisseau created this acrylic painting, "Dreaming of the Astral Plane," in 1995. Its bright, almost psychedelic palette really grabs you. Editor: It does! It’s incredibly striking. The boldness of the acrylic really lends itself to this vibrant vision—there’s something almost dreamlike about the layered space and floating figures. What do you make of the composition? Curator: Well, Morrisseau was a groundbreaking Indigenous artist, and his work often blends personal symbolism with traditional Ojibwe cosmology. You see this merging particularly in how he challenged conventional artistic expectations in the contemporary art scene. Editor: Absolutely, the flattening of perspective and the graphic outlines remind me of printmaking. It's all so deliberate; the shapes contain vibrant colors, drawing attention to both the artistic production and the depicted narrative. What is that, a turtle down at the bottom? Curator: Yes, you noticed! That’s part of what makes the piece so interesting. In many Indigenous traditions, the turtle represents Mother Earth. The spirit figure and the animal are common characters in the artist’s visual lexicon. We need to think about the cultural context too, considering his role in the Woodland School of Art. Editor: Which focused so intently on these stories passed down through generations… You know, thinking about materials, Morrisseau chose a medium that offered not only saturation, but also quick-drying convenience, something suitable for an artist producing so much. Curator: That’s astute. And beyond the practical consideration, the medium allowed Morrisseau to share Indigenous knowledge and identity politics widely. His work has undoubtedly shaped perceptions and public discourse. Editor: I think examining the labor involved and the cultural message is essential here. It makes us really think about how art operates beyond mere aesthetics. Thanks for highlighting this artist’s impactful work, truly! Curator: Likewise, the materiality certainly gives new dimensions to this painting for me. A great discussion.