We Conjure Our Own Spirit 

Curator: We're looking at "We Conjure Our Own Spirit," a painting attributed to the Indigenous Canadian artist Norval Morrisseau. It seems he worked primarily in acrylic. What springs to mind for you? Editor: Immediately? Joyful chaos! It’s a vibrant jumble of colors, creatures, and those wide, knowing eyes on everything. Like a psychedelic vision quest captured in paint. A serious subject rendered with light, friendly tonalities. Curator: Right. Morrisseau is known for his Woodland School style, blending traditional Anishinaabe imagery with a modern artistic sensibility. These artworks significantly challenged the colonial narrative prevalent in Canadian institutions at the time. Editor: Makes sense. I mean, the composition alone rejects Western norms. No single focal point—your eyes bounce all over. Look at these spirit animals seemingly floating. What sort of themes are typical of this art? Curator: Common themes in his paintings include interconnectedness of all living things, the importance of spiritual guides, and stories derived from Anishinaabe traditions. Also there is that very explicit aspect of internal spiritual power referenced directly in the title: “We Conjure Our Own Spirit”. This work seems consistent with his established, often repeated lexicon. Editor: The faces remind me of early modernists experimenting with fractured perspectives. There is such an intriguing use of line and flat color; like folk art meets pop art with a shamanistic twist. This is truly a bold way to depict power! Curator: I agree. I would also stress the painting’s role as cultural reclamation, too. During Morrisseau’s lifetime, Indigenous culture was suppressed, so work such as this—and indeed his entire artistic vision—can be interpreted as a radical statement. It served to legitimize indigenous expression on its own terms and its very act of production flew directly in the face of external control and judgement. Editor: It definitely makes you think about who gets to tell their story, doesn’t it? To view, so much life, is definitely like walking into someone else's wonderfully intense, vibrant dream. I’m grateful for that feeling. Curator: Agreed. It is an important reminder of art’s capacity to revitalize and reclaim histories.