Roy Thomas

One of the most important post-Morrisseau artists of the Woodland School. Born on the trap line, he grew up on a reserve and was encouraged by his grandmother to express himself through art. Roy worked his way through drug and alcohol issues early in his life and found painting. He believed that his grandmother's spirit was present with him while he painted, and honoured her by signing his works with a small crow, the name she had given him.

Education

Self-taught

Exhibitions

Pollock Gallery (solo shows) 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
The Image Makers, Art Gallery of Ontario, 1984
Thunder Bay Art Gallery (solo shows) 1983, 1989, 1991
Maslak McLeod Gallery, 1994
Royal Ontario Museum, 1996

Reviews

Roy Thomas: The Spirit of Anishanabae Art, by James R. Stevens, Anishanabae Press, 2001

Collections

National Gallery of Canada
Art Gallery of Ontario
Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa
McMichael Canadian Collection, Kleinburg
Other major collections across Canada, the US, Europe and Japan.