Front Burner The true story behind the Norval Morrisseau art fraud
Dec 25, 2025
In this intriguing discussion, rock star Kevin Hearn, a member of Barenaked Ladies, shares his rollercoaster experience after purchasing a painting by Norval Morrisseau, only for it to be declared questionable by curator Gerald McMaster. Gerald, a Plains Cree curator, delves into the authenticity and dating concerns surrounding Morrisseau's work. Kevin's quest for the truth reveals a tangled web of art fraud, raising questions about cultural legacy and the importance of provenance. Their captivating insights shine a light on a significant art crime unfolding.
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Scale Of The Alleged Fraud
- Adrian Stimson frames thousands of Morrisseau fakes as potentially the world's largest art fraud.
- He emphasizes the fraud's scale reaches into the hundreds of millions of dollars and affects Morrisseau's legacy.
From Local Seller To Iconic Target
- Norval Morrisseau rose from selling paintings at a general store to international acclaim after a 1962 Pollock gallery show.
- His public success made his style highly desirable and vulnerable to mass forgery.
Artist's Cultural Conflict And Rise
- After the Pollock show, Norval faced elders' anger for painting sacred Ojibwe symbols and struggled with whether to share them.
- He later achieved major institutional recognition despite that conflict.