Norval Morrisseau ~ Kay Tingley Collection

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K. Tingley Collection
This “Thunderbird” was likely painted in 1964, shortly before it was acquired by the present owner, Mrs. Kay Tingley. The image is in complete profile. There are six “divided circles”, a very consistent symbol in Morrisseau’s art. They represent dualities - opposing (or complementary) forces, such as good and evil. There are “lines of communication” between all exterior divided circles and the main image, the “Thunderbird”. It is unusual to see Morrisseau’s signature in syllabics within one of these circles.

The second work, showing a mother loon and baby, uses more subdued colours and shows simple lines of communication between the creatures. Both mother and baby show x-ray or internal structures, which may represent actual organs or depict more abstract ideas.

The details surrounding Kay Tingley’s acquisition of this art arise from everyday life in Red Lake, of which Morrisseau was a part. A town water supply was fairly new in 1964, and so was Hyslop’s Laundromat.




			(thunderbird) 1964 Acrylic on paper 55 x 75 cm Kay Tingley Collection



				(mother loon and baby) 1964 Acrylic on paper 53.5 x 67.5 cm Kay Tingley Collection

Morrisseau happened to meet Ron Tingley there and asked to borrow some quarters for the machines. They knew each other as Ron worked with Motorways, a trucking company which often carried freight for Morrisseau. When it was clear that he needed more than a few coins, Morrisseau went outside and returned with two rolled paintings tied with a child’s stocking and offered them to Ron. They settled on a price of twenty dollars and Morrisseau was able to continue with his laundry. Although they were not married at the time, Ron knew Kay was interested in this artist’s work, and he gave these two paintings to her as a gift.

One or the other of these two pieces have hung in Kay and Ron’s house in Red Lake since then. Most years, Kay would take her art and photos to Morden, Manitoba, (the family home) as the “fire season” approached. Safely stored under a bed they made the return journey in the fall. One of the few years Kay did not transport the art and photos to safety was 1980, when there was a serious fire. However, Kay’s treasures survived the ordeal although some people did not.


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