Norman Knott 1945 – 2003
Norman Knott was a Native artist who was born on the Curve Lake Reserve, just north of Peterborough, Ontario in 1945. He lived in a small quiet community all his life and resided there with his wife and three children. The knowledge he acquired there allowed him to create meaningful and colourful paintings.
Norman’s paintings appear to be caught between his background myths and contemporary realistic styles. His closeness to nature, as well as a keen eye and steady hand gave the figures in his paintings a realist outline; his Ojibwe background adds an inner touch of symbolism. Although his style was different, his art has put him in a class with such renowned artists as Robert Bateman and Michael Bumas. It is this unique style that gave him a wide range of popularity outside the Kawartha’s, including art dealers and collectors from across Canada, United States, Great Britain, Germany and Australia.
As well as being recognized as a successful Canadian Artist, Norman was also known for his generosity and kindness towards colleagues and friends. In 1992, Norman Knott donated three of his paintings to the Echoes of a Proud Nation’s Pow Wow Committee. The committee felt that one of the paintings, which contained a Turtle, was something special and decided to adopt it as the official logo for it’s Pow Wow. Norman was both pleased and honoured with this decision.
Nia:wenkowa Mr. Knott, from the Kahnawake Pow Wow Committee.
