Punk Rockers 

Norval Morrisseau created this striking painting, "Punk Rockers," employing bold colors and simplified forms, immediately grabbing our attention. The painting uses the visual codes of the late 20th century punk movement, which was all about challenging social norms through music, fashion, and art. Morrisseau was an Anishinaabe artist who is often considered the grandfather of contemporary Indigenous art in Canada. His work frequently blended traditional Ojibwe spirituality and stories with modern artistic styles. In this context, "Punk Rockers" can be seen as more than just a depiction of a subculture. The punk aesthetic becomes a vehicle for exploring themes of resistance, identity, and the collision of cultures. By looking into Morrisseau's biography, and the history of Indigenous art institutions in Canada, we can better understand the many layers of meaning in this painting. Art provides a lens through which we can examine cultural encounters.