in 1984 or 1985 i painted the thunderbird. i was studying works by the canadian group of 7 artist and Norval Morrisseau.
at the same time i was learning about C. K. Bliss, and experimenting with using Bliss symbols as text in my work. this is one of my first major works, tempera on brown paper, almost 4 ft. square.
the people with empty stomachs stand in front of the black house which represents the government. the thunderbird's magical powers to protect the people from evil are represented by the fire and water in its wings. as difficult as the circumstances of the people may be, they still receive strength and grace from the thunderbird, as children, representing hope, descend from its wings.
https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/norval-morrisseau/biography/
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