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Art Thompson (Tsan-Quass-Upp)Northern Style Shaman mask Dididaht Legend of Swans and Wolves |
| Art Thompson was born in 1948 in Whyac, an isolated
reserve of the Ditidaht on Vancouver Island. Thompson was largely
a self-taught artist who began drawing at an early age. As well, he
benefited from the experience of having a father and grandfather who
were carvers. Significant, too, were studies with Ron Hamilton and
Joe David, two of the artists most responsible for the resurgence
of Nuu-chah-nulth art. Thompson was widely regarded as a master carver
and artist of great import.
Thompson was initiated into the Tloo-Kwalla or Wolf Society, a tribal initiation ceremony that had been passed down through the generations and besides his renown as a visual artist he attained recognition for his knowledge and practice of the traditional songs and dances of the Nuu-chah-nulth. Finally, Thompson was a tireless fighter for all those who suffered the abuses of the residential school system. Tragically, Thompson died of cancer in 2003. |
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