A dispute over a painting by Canada's most famous aboriginal artist has spilled into a Toronto court.

Kevin Hearn, keyboardist for the pop band Barenaked Ladies, has sued Maslak McLeod Gallery of Toronto over a Norval Morrisseau painting he believes is a "fake or forgery."

Hearn, an avid collector, bought the painting in 2005 and became suspicious of its authenticity after a museum curator removed it from a loan show of works from the musician's collection.

"Spirit Energy of Mother Earth," the title of the painting in question, is genuine, according to the gallery. and a detailed defense has yet to be filed.

Morrisseau, who died in 2007, painted 10,000 pictures, largely of aboriginal spirits and legends in his signature style using black outlines and bold colors. The market for his work has been plagued with talk of fakes, even while prices have steadily climbed.

Hearn is seeking punitive damages of $50,000, plus $20,000 for the purchase price of the painting and $25,000 to cover his investment return on the painting.