David Voss, identified by Crown prosecutors as the mastermind behind a massive art forgery operation, has been sentenced to five years in prison for fraud. Voss’s ring was responsible for producing thousands of counterfeit paintings attributed to Norval Morrisseau, a renowned Ojibwe artist often called the “Picasso of the North” by Marc Chagall.
The Ontario Provincial Police announced in March 2023 that their investigation had uncovered what they termed “the biggest art fraud in world history.” The extensive case resulted in charges against eight individuals, including a relative of Morrisseau, and led to the seizure of over 1,000 fake artworks. In June, Voss admitted to charges of uttering forged documents and forgery.
Justice Bonnie Warkentin highlighted the severe impact of the fraud, noting that “the damage is profound” and emphasizing the case’s “international significance.” She stated that Morrisseau’s legacy and spiritual essence have been “irrevocably damaged and tarnished.”
This sentencing follows a five-year term for Gary Lamont, another key figure in the forgery ring, who had previously pleaded guilty to two charges. Six additional individuals were charged last year. The case has evolved into a significant Canadian cultural issue, intertwining elements of forgery, exploitation of First Nations artists, and broader public discourse.
Morrisseau, an influential self-taught artist who founded the “Woodlands School” of Indigenous art, had been aware of forgeries of his work before his death in 2007. However, it was a 2019 documentary by Jamie Kastner, titled There Are No Fakes, that brought the issue into the public eye. The film was inspired by a lawsuit filed by Kevin Hearn, a member of The Barenaked Ladies, against the Maslak McLeod Gallery, which had sold him an alleged forgery. Hearn subsequently won a C$60,000 award from the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Kastner’s film significantly aided the police investigation, although he contested an order to provide his footage as evidence, arguing that journalism should remain independent from law enforcement. The Ontario Superior Court ruled in favor of the police last autumn.
“It’s really fantastic that the work the film initiated continues to snowball and have real-life consequences for the people that were perpetrating this awful series of crimes,” Kastner remarked after Voss’s sentencing. He expressed confidence that Morrisseau would be pleased with the outcome, noting that the artist had battled similar forgeries during his lifetime.
Benjamin Morrisseau, the artist’s nephew, is still awaiting sentencing for his involvement in the scheme. Since the charges were filed last year, alleged Morrisseau forgeries have been discovered in prominent locations, including the Ontario legislature, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and McGill University. Police estimate that over 5,000 counterfeit works from Voss’s operation remain undiscovered.
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