2023-35-20-02.jpg

Art Thompson, Courting Ravens

Art Thompson
1948-2003
Nuu-chah-nulth (Ditidaht)
Date
1990
Medium Specific
Serigraph
Edition / State
102/150
Classification
Print
Dimensions
26 x 21 in. (66 x 53.3 cm.)
Accession Number
2023.35.20.02
Credit
Gift of Gloria and Selig Kaplan
Memo / Artist Statement
"This painting reminds us to respect the natural phenomena that surrounds us. One day, I was in a forest and watched in awe as two ravens courted each other in the sky. The male raven dramatically and aerobatically flew around the female. This mating ritual occurs on a yearly basis." -- Art Thompson, 1991
Biography
Born in Nitihaht Village of Whyac, BC in 1948, Art Thompson was largely a self-taught artist, but he did study with Nuu-chah-nulth artists Ron Hamilton and Joe David. From 1978 to 1981, he carved with Duane Pasco. Thompson studied commercial art at Camosun College in Victoria, BC, as well as at the Vancouver School of Art. He was greatly influenced by artists at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art at 'Ksan in Hazelton, BC. He produced many works including silkscreen prints, masks, totem poles, jewellery, bentwood boxes, and ceremonial puppets. His media included silver and gold, wood, deer hide, acrylic paint, and pastels. Sea creatures were one of his favourite subjects, and many of his print images were drawn from drum heads. The design Our Beginnings was created as the logo for the 1997 North American Indigenous Games. He is considered to be one of the great Nuu-chah-nulth artists of the 20th century. Art passed away in 2003.
https://www.lattimergallery.com/collections/art-thompson
Date of Bio
Inscription
102/150 "Courting Ravens", AThompson, Dec 6, 1990