Art Thompson (b. 1948) was born in the village of Whyac on the southern end of Nitinat Lake. He belongs to the Ditidaht Band of the Nuu Chah Nulth people. Art was fortunate to be immersed in the cultural life of his people from an early age when he was initiated into the Tlukwalla society. As a small boy he showed great interest in artistic expression. This was further reinforced by his paternal grandfather, from whom he learned the history, songs and dances of his people.
Art graduated from a residential school in 1964, ending nine years of abuse. In recent years, he has become a powerful spokesman in pursuit of justice for others who have suffered similar experiences.
From 1970 - 1972, Art studied fine arts at Camosun College in Victoria. Subsequently he enrolled at the Emily Carr Institute in Vancouver, working in both two and three dimensional forms. It was here that Art began printmaking and began to create the striking silk-screens for which he is now so renowned.
Well-versed in many of the artistic styles of the coast, Art has developed his own innovative and distinctive interpretation of Nuu Chah Nulth design. This collection spans the years from 1974-1997. Art has created a number of large dance screens that have in turn become serigraphs. Thunderbird and Whale is an example of this adaptation. The Octopus is a favourite subject and it is represented in this 1977 print, brilliantly coloured and flanked by striking geometric shapes representing rocks and the ocean above. Many of his print images are drawn from drum heads. Our Beginnings was created as the logo for the 1997 North American Indigenous Games. It depicts Raven, the Creator, speaking to a new beginning for all indigenous people.
Art Thompson's work can be found in many public collections including the Museum of Civilization in Hull, Québec, the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, The Canadian High Commission in Singapore, and Stanford University in the United States.
Art Thompson died on March 30, 2004 in Victoria, BC.
Selected Exhibitions
1996 Spirits of the Forest, Sea and Sky: Masks by Mastercarvers of the Northwest Coast, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC
2002 Art Thompson and
Don Yeomans Serigraph Retrospective, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC
2011 Pacific Prints 2011, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC
