Joseph Norris
Joseph Norris
1925 - 1996
Joseph Norris was a folk artist known for his idealized visions of the life and landscape of Lower Prospect, Nova Scotia in paintings characterized by vivid colours and a strong sense of design. His work did not adhere to the traditional rules of perspective and drawing and was not influenced by art history or art theory, but rather by images from television. During his early years he also made models of villages, boats and lighthouses using found materials.

Norris grew up in stark poverty during the Great Depression - one of nine children, his father died in 1934. Plagued by illness and with a need to help support his mother through his earnings from fishing, Norris left school after grade four. His life became defined by hard work and a love of his home. Though he briefly took up painting at the age of 15 during a bout of pleurisy, it was not until the age of 49, after suffering a heart attack, that Norris turned to painting seriously.

It is estimated that Norris painted around two thousand artworks. His paintings began to gain notice not long after he began displaying them on the outside of his shed, and his works were first shown at the Mira Godard Gallery in Toronto. In 1976, thirteen of his paintings were included in the Folk Art of Nova Scotia exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. His paintings are now in the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. In 1978, Norris had another pivotal exhibition at Dalhousie Art Gallery, Joe Norris: Paintings and Furniture, during which many works were acquired by important public and private collections. By the 1980s, Norris had gained success and popularity and was included in the National Museum of Man’s exhibition From the Heart, which toured Canada, and he was featured in the CBC documentary film of the same name.
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Fishing Village by Joseph Norris sold for $16,250
Joseph Norris
Fishing Village
24 x 47 3/4 in, 61 x 121.3 cm
enamel on board
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000 CDN
Sold for: $16,250 CDN (premium included)
Folk Art: Works by Maud Lewis & Joe Norris on Saturday, June 01, 2019
Fishing Village by Joseph Norris sold for $10,000
Joseph Norris
Fishing Village
24 x 36 in, 61 x 91.4 cm
enamel on board
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $10,000 CDN (premium included)
Folk Art: Works by Maud Lewis & Joe Norris on Thursday, January 25, 2018
Birds by the River by Joseph Norris sold for $8,125
Joseph Norris
Birds by the River
24 x 30 in, 61 x 76.2 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $8,125 CDN (premium included)
Folk Art on Thursday, January 30, 2020
Seagulls and Flowers by Joseph Norris sold for $7,500
Joseph Norris
Seagulls and Flowers
24 x 30 in, 61 x 76.2 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $3,500 - $4,500 CDN
Sold for: $7,500 CDN (premium included)
O Canada! on Thursday, July 30, 2020
The Protestant Church at Terrance Bay by Joseph Norris sold for $7,020
Joseph Norris
The Protestant Church at Terrance Bay
11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in, 29.8 x 40 cm
enamel on board
Estimate: $4,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $7,020 CDN (premium included)
January 2011 - 2nd Session on Thursday, January 27, 2011
Gull Island by Joseph Norris sold for $6,875
Joseph Norris
Gull Island
24 x 30 in, 61 x 76.2 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $6,875 CDN (premium included)
Canadian Art on Thursday, March 29, 2018
Village in Winter by Joseph Norris sold for $6,875
Joseph Norris
Village in Winter
23 3/4 x 31 3/8 in, 60.3 x 79.7 cm
oil on board
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $6,875 CDN (premium included)
Folk Art: Works by Maud Lewis & Joe Norris on Thursday, June 28, 2018
Lower Prospect by Joseph Norris sold for $6,250
Joseph Norris
Lower Prospect
25 1/4 x 30 1/4 in, 64.1 x 76.8 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $6,250 CDN (premium included)
Town & Country on Thursday, November 30, 2023
Lower Prospect by Joseph Norris sold for $5,938
Joseph Norris
Lower Prospect
18 x 24 in, 45.7 x 61 cm
enamel on board
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $5,938 CDN (premium included)
Folk Art: Works by Maud Lewis & Joe Norris on Thursday, January 25, 2018
Sheltered Cove, Looking Down by Joseph Norris sold for $5,558
Joseph Norris
Sheltered Cove, Looking Down
24 x 30 in, 61 x 76.2 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $5,558 CDN (premium included)
August 2011 - 1st Session on Thursday, August 25, 2011