Calgary gallery sues Norval Morrisseau Estate for $1.45M
Norval Morrisseau Estate Ltd. has been at the forefront of the fight against the rampant fraud of the late artist’s work. However, the estate now finds itself embroiled in a $1.45 million lawsuit accusing it of defaming an art gallery by insinuating that its artworks could be counterfeit.
Cory Dingle, the executive director of Norval Morrisseau Estate Ltd., has been a vocal advocate against art fraud, speaking out to various media outlets including CBC. Yet, he now faces legal action alongside the estate for defamation and breach of contract brought forth by a Calgary art gallery. The lawsuit, filed in Alberta’s Superior Trial Court on March 11, alleges that EA Studios felt maligned by Dingle’s statements to potential buyers, which implied that the gallery may be selling inferior or fake Morrisseau works.
It is important to note that none of these claims have been proven in court. In response to the lawsuit, Dingle stated, “The Estate looks forward to defending itself against these allegations, and due to the ongoing litigation, we do not have any further comments at this time.”
The crux of the lawsuit revolves around a purported agreement between EA Studios (Jasper) Ltd. and Norval Morrisseau Estate Ltd., represented by Dingle. The gallery asserts that Dingle was supposed to vouch for the authenticity of Morrisseau paintings in their inventory and receive a 10% commission on successful sales to clients he referred. However, the lawsuit contends that Dingle did the opposite, casting doubt on the gallery’s pieces and steering potential buyers towards purchasing directly from himself or the estate.
To investigate these allegations, EA Studios hired private investigators who engaged in conversations with Dingle. According to court documents, these interactions allegedly involved defamatory remarks that tarnished the gallery’s reputation and credibility.
EA Studios claims to have a longstanding relationship with the late artist, having sold Morrisseau’s works since the 1980s. The gallery argues that Dingle’s statements insinuated that they were unethical and engaged in criminal activities, damaging their business and causing a loss of clients.
Moreover, the lawsuit delves into the contentious issue of Morrisseau’s children allegedly supporting the authenticity of fraudulent works for financial gain. It asserts that the estate shareholders turned a blind eye to these fraudulent practices, leading to further dissemination of fake Morrisseau pieces in the market.
The legal battle between EA Studios and Norval Morrisseau Estate Ltd., along with Cory Dingle, sheds light on the complexities surrounding the authentication of indigenous artwork and the repercussions of art fraud. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the parties involved navigate these contentious issues in the art world.
