Good afternoon to each and everyone who continues to find my new site here at Jacobson native art. It has been a few moons since the release of this film and as executive producer of, I have some things I want to share about it now. First off, I’m glad that we had the opportunity to tell this story through film and to reach out to many new people as the direct result. It was always a powerful story that needed to be told and shared.
I first met Norval Morrisseau in 2005 in Nanaimo B.C. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. At this point I had been working and mastering the woodland art form for 20 years exactly. It was a brilliant meeting for the both of us. At that point, Norval was confined to his wheelchair and was struggling with Parkinson’s disease. He never had dementia as it was falsely reported by the likes of those shady websites in the Norval Morrisseau blog and the hoax exposed blogs. Both heavily involved in trying to make fakes, authentic.
It was at that time during my visits with Norval that I began to be educated by him about the grave nature of this problem. I was shown dozens and dozens of examples both in catalogues and the Internet by Norval, Gabe and Michelle Vadas. Norval himself had asked me to help him. He had specifically invited me into this realm because he knew that I would help. And I have. Without a shadow of doubt, I made all the moves necessary to have found the results I did by the production of this film.
Look, the truth is that none of this would have happened, if it wasn’t for a serendipitous meeting between Dallas and I. Exposing the truth about these fakes, the fraud ring in Thunder Bay ont, exposing a serial rapist and getting him convicted on multiple counts, Justice and vindication for not only Norval Morrisseau, the sexual assault survivors, for kevin hearn and his lawyer in Jonathan Sommer, but also the estate of Morrisseau and countless collectors, galleries, museums and institutions.
Same can be said for everyone else who attached their name to this movie. By the time the film came out last year, I had spent nearly 15 years of my life on this. It definitely ranks as one of the worst experiences I have ever gone through in my entire life. The amount of filth, disgust, brokenness, horrifying truths, lies and deceptions, threats, intimidation, betrayal and let down was absolutely over the top.
And this was on both sides of the coin, the bad guys and the good. The reality is that unfortunately this film brought out the worst in many people tied to it. Including myself at times. The level of mistaking friendship and trust throughout this ordeal was really the backbone for me saying: “FUCK THIS“ to everyone associated with this film, excluding both Dallas and Kevin Hearn. Because they were the only 2 solid people that remained until the very end. Even in that, I took a break from them as well. I needed it, we all kinda needed it.
Many souls around the world have now had a chance to see this film. This is a good thing. Although it has been a very deep and painful experience, I hope one day to see even further results of all the efforts and work that was done and continues to be done as the result of this dedicated service that a few of us put together. It was the fraud of Norval Morrisseau that had first brought me into this scenario. I knew the task ahead of me was quite monumental. Nor Norval himself, neither gabe or michelle, nor Ritchie Sinclair or bryant ross, not kevin hearn or any lawyers before hand could fix this.
Not the likes of KRG, not the NMHS, no institution or even any police force across Canada knew the depth of this rabbit hole. It was when the information about rape, violence, drugs and assaults that had came forward through Dallas and I sharing our experiences that the truth became known. It was then around 2011 that this entire focus shifted from art fraud to the rape and crimes of a serial sexual predator who was discovered as the suspected head of this Norval Morrisseau art fraud ring, deep in the heart of Thunder Bay, ont.
I was flown to Toronto for the opening of this film last year. I have to say that I was appalled at the level of disrespect and disgusting attitudes of the director of this film in Jamie Kastner. I always felt that since meeting him there was something “not right” about him. He shamed me for bringing my family to the movie premiere saying he only wanted me there, and not my family. He called me a 2 bit hustler when I wanted to share my art and culture during the after party of the premiere.
I brought my paintings and such to add to the event, to be a blessing of indigenous culture and sharing the strength and power of my art. To support all the efforts in regards to saving the lives of countless victims and of the art and legacy of my friend and mentor in Norval Morrisseau. That the circle is strong with what I bring to the table. I told Jamie Kastner where to go, and educated this Frankenstein colonized mindset of his that most people in my circles buddy would consider me a hero for getting involved in this story in the ways that I did.
But this piece of garbage in Kastner tried to belittle me and my integrity as someone who was and is so intimately involved with really opening up this whole story. It left such a bad taste in my heart and the fact that people like Kastner are peppered all over the Canadian film industry. It really grossed me out and because of assholes like him I had to step back and really process all these events in their true light. I think I’ve done that and during this time of healing my heart and soul through this, I’ve found a place now within where I can actually tell my side of this story.
Some how in all this, I got left out. They didn’t give me any interviews, They feared me and so they went to any and all lengths to try and control this narrative. At the end of the day, I let them. I gave up trying to be heard because I suppose there were those who desired that spotlight for themselves. Nevermind this Indian in me. I didn’t look the part I suppose. They couldn’t control me. So they acted out of fear. At this stage of the game, I don’t really care about it so much any more. More will be revealed...this story isn’t over.
The black dry brush fakes are only one wave. There are several waves of fake Norval Morrisseau paintings and prints peppered all over the Internet like ebay, kigigi, auction houses, shady galleries and their dealers. Prominent Canadian art galleries have been selling dozens and dozens of these suspected second, third, fourth and fifth waves etc. of different fakes other than the now common and distinct black dry brush fakes.
The above 4th photo here shows one of these fraudulent waves of fake Norval Morrisseau paintings. This particular forgery is very distinct from those black dry brush abominations, (Norvals exact words for them). This period came before the black dry brush, actually. This particular wave is sourced from the Yorkville gallery district in the heart of downtown Toronto. This wave came in the late 1980’s all throughout the 1990’s and even into the 2000’s.
I know who this forger is. I contacted him on line, twice. Once 10 years ago and recently about 3 months ago. I told him that I suspect it’s you....chief. I’ve studied his weak originals and have compared his personal techniques in his own woodland art style and then I’ve compared those techniques to this example and several others and indeed in my professional opinion and experience, it’s the same fuckin artist. I know it, he knows it and we’ll see if the police across this country can see it too.
It will never be a complete investigation if the other waves of the Norval Morrisseau fakes don’t get dealt with. It’s a funny thing with true experience and understanding. Ive been given an inside view of the world of art forgery because of my friendship with Norval Morrisseau. I am regarded as one of the true living masters of this style of indigenous art called the woodland school. It is an honour for me to keep pushing it forward, in my style and in my techniques.
I know that somewhere in this universe, the spirits look upon me and smile. I know that indeed my friend and mentor in Norval Morrisseau after all of this looks upon me and smiles too. Knowing full well that I did my duty. I took it all to task. I did my part in helping to set the record straight. At the end of the day I want it to always be known that I did this all for free, from my heart because I always believed it was the right thing to do. I did it for love...for the love of my people. The great Anishanabe.
All my relations, Mark Anthony Jacobson - Rainbow Thunderbird
