Sivertson Gallery

Roy Thomas

Anishinaabe painter Roy Thomas (1949-2004) was one of the most influential aboriginal artists in Canada, and was famous for paintings of colorful totemic animals. He grew up in Longlac, Ontario, and like other Native youth of his generation, was forced to attend a religious boarding school. Roy was a self-taught artist, encouraged from an early age by his grandparents: “One day my grandson, these drawings will come back to you, what is yours is never gone away forever.” He painted in the Ojibwa woodland style, using symbolism and imagery inspired by pictographs and spirits. Roy’s art was shown in numerous galleries across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. He lived in Thunder Bay, Ontario.