THUNDER BAY - A section of a Thunder Bay Courtroom was filled with seized artwork fraudulently attributed to Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau by Gary Lamont, seated in the prisoner’s box, who signed the renowned artist’s name to profit from his unique style and Ojibway culture.
“In this case, the damage is profound,” said Justice Bonnie Warkentin. “This is more than just an art fraud. It is the appropriation of a cultural and spiritual identity of one of Canada’s most profound artists.”
Lamont, 61, appeared before Warkentin on Thursday for sentencing. Last week, Lamont pleaded guilty to one count of forgery and one count of defrauding the public above $5,000.
The charges relate to an extensive multi-year investigation by the Thunder Bay Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police into what has been called one of the largest art fraud rings in the world involving thousands of fake Norval Morrisseau works and millions of dollars.
Morrisseau, also known as Copper Thunderbird, was originally from Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation and gained international recognition for founding the Woodlands School of art. Throughout his life, Morrisseau’s work was exhibited in galleries in Canada, the United States, and Europe and in 1978 he received the Order of Canada.
Morrisseau passed away in 2007.
Lamont was first charged in March 2023 along with seven others, including Benjamin Morrisseau, 53, David John Voss, 51, Diane Marie Champagne, 63, Linda Tkachyk, 59, all from Thunder Bay, as well as Jeffrey Cowan, 47, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, James White, 81, of Essa Township, and David Bremner, 75, of Locust Hill.
The court heard in the agreed statement of facts that between 2002 and 2019, Lamont oversaw the production of numerous Norval Morrisseau forgeries, which were then sold to mostly intermediaries before being sold to private collectors and galleries.
This particular forgery ring headed by Lamont and operated in Thunder Bay is believed to have produced 190 fakes, 117 of which have been seized by police.
Following the announcement of charges last spring, investigators said more than 1,000 paintings and prints have been seized and it is believed there could be between 4,000 to 6,500 fakes produced by fraud rings in total.
Lamont signed Morrisseau’s name to fake paintings
According to the agreed statement of facts, Lamont met Morrisseau in 1980 and was given several paintings by him.
The forgeries sold by Lamont were painted by other individuals, which he would then sign Morrisseau’s name to, primarily using the Cree syllabics with which Morrisseau was known for signing his work.
The forgeries were sold for prices ranging between $2,000 and $10,000. One sale consisted of 46 works for $52,000, five additional works for $30,000, and 34 works for $56,000.
“It is undeniably one of the largest, most lucrative, most damaging art frauds in Canada if not the world,” said Crown attorney John Corelli. “This is a very serious offence, and the defendant is the architect of the offence. The difficulty of this case is there is no similar offence in recent Canadian history involving this level of art fraud or involving the Indigenous community.”
Corelli said the Crown took into consideration the mitigating factors of Lamont pleading guilty and saving court resources by sparing potentially weeks or even months at trial.
But he also noted the significant aggravating factors in the case, including the complexity of the fraud ring and the impact on the victims, namely the purchasers of the forgeries, the Indigenous community, the art market, and the Norval Morrisseau estate.
“For 17 years, this offence continues. There are hundreds of forgeries that were created. There were enough supplies to make a couple of thousand paintings. We may never know how many were created,” Corelli said.
“This in no way was a spontaneous incident. It was a well-executed enterprise where Lamont bears responsibility.”
Corelli added that there were no altruistic motives behind Lamont’s actions, saying he was strictly motivated by greed, which heightens his moral blameworthiness.
Victims express anger and embarrassment
“Some may feel that those who can afford to spend thousands of dollars on art can also afford to lose it, but that is not true,” Corelli said. “The impact is not just financial, it is emotional as well.”
The court heard several victim impact statements from individuals who purchased forgeries, who all said they felt embarrassed and angry for spending so much money on what turned out to be fake Morrisseau works.
“I feel embarrassed. For years I had been very proud to have what I thought was a good collection of Morrisseau paintings,” one of the statements reads.
“The emotional impact on me has been complete devastation,” another victim who lost more than $100,000 wrote. “I purchased paintings because I thought they were beautiful and would be a good investment for my children.”
A community victim impact statement was also submitted by Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare, who said the forgeries were not only a crime, but they dishonoured all First Nations across the country.
“When I was informed of the Norval Morrisseau forgeries, I was disheartened of someone yet again taking advantage of First Nation culture and using it for their own personal gain,” Hare said.
Representatives of the Norval Morrisseau estate shared in great detail the pain and struggles that have followed the discovery of the art fraud ring.
The statement prepared as a collective voice of the estate said the forgeries has not only left an “indelible mark on one of Canada’s best artists, but cast a shadow over our nation, people, and art community.”
“For over two decades we have been relentlessly attacked and disparaged online and accused of the very crimes we are victims of,” the estate’s statement reads.
“The emotional toll extends beyond the family to the volunteers and lovers of Morrisseau’s art. The psychological impact on these individuals from those with a financial interest in fake Norval Morriseau’s art has led to stress related illnesses and stress in their lives.”
The statement goes on to say that the art fraud ring has also resulted in the collapse of the art market cultivated by Morrisseau and it estimates an economic impact of more than $100 million.
Judge accepts joint sentencing submission
A joint submission was presented to Warkentin by the Crown and defense counsel Gil Labine calling for a sentence of five years minus pre-sentence custody.
Labine said Lamont’s plea of guilt is an expression of remorse and acknowledgement of culpability for his actions.
“He’s taken ownership with respect to offences he has committed over the years,” Labine said. “Mr. Lamont has to be given full credit for his plea of guilt and taking responsibly for this fraudulent activity.”
Labine added that the guilty plea will also result in the price of original, authentic Morrisseau paintings to increase and this would not be possible without Lamont taking responsibility.
“I am very sorry and remorseful for what I have done,” Lamont said when given the opportunity to speak. “I take full responsibility.”
Warkentin said in her ruling that it is hoped as a result of the guilty plea there will be a gaining of confidence in original Morrisseau artwork.
But she added the art fraud ring is another example of the appropriation of Indigenous culture that can be extremely damaging.
“The legacy of Norval Morrisseau has been irrevocably damaged,” she said.
Warkentin ultimately agreed with the joint submission of five years in custody. With pre-sentence custody of eight months enhanced to 12, Lamont will serve four more years in custody.
The sentence will be served concurrently with a two-year sentence Lamont is already serving after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges last week.
The Crown also did not seek a restitution order for the costs of the forged works, arguing there was no real possibility that Lamont could or would pay such restitution.
Victims can still seek restitution through civil action.
All seized artworks are to be forfeited, though a separate forfeiture hearing will be scheduled for those who wish to retain ownership.
As part of the Lamont plea, all charges against 59-year-old Linda Tkachyk were marked withdrawn.
The charges against the six other co-accused remain before the courts.