Original Painting “Relative” by Roy Thomas [SOLD]

Roy Thomas (1949-2004) was a leading figure in the Woodland art movement and one of the most influential Indigenous painters of his generation. Born near Pagwachuan Lake in northwestern Ontario, he grew up on the Longlac Reserve, northeast of Thunder Bay. From a young age, he was inspired by the traditional stories told by his grandmother, often sketching the images they conjured in his mind. His grandparents gave him the name Gahgahgeh, meaning "Crow," after he rescued and raised an orphaned crow. The crow became his personal emblem and appeared alongside his signature in many of his works. Fittingly, two crows are the subject of this painting, titled "Relative," symbolizing kinship, memory, and the artist's enduring connection to his heritage.

Thomas is regarded as a major figure in the second generation of Woodland artists, a movement founded by Norval Morrisseau in the 1960s and rooted in Anishinaabe visual traditions. While Morrisseau laid the foundation, Thomas developed a distinctive vision, making significant contributions to the evolution and recognition of the style.

He began drawing at the age of six and, like many Indigenous children, attended a residential school. At 13, he suffered a devastating loss when both his parents and grandparents were killed in a car crash. After leaving school at 15, he traveled and worked various jobs while contending with and eventually overcoming alcohol addiction. A turning point in his life came at age 16 when he met Morrisseau. Watching the elder artist paint on birchbark inspired Thomas to fully embrace his own path as a painter.

Thomas had his first solo exhibition in 1966 at the Nightingale Gallery in Toronto. In 1977, he was featured in a solo show at the Pollock Gallery, where he would exhibit annually until 1980. His work drew widespread attention for its vibrant use of color, spiritual themes, and symbolic imagery grounded in Indigenous teachings.

In 1985, Thomas met Louise, who would become his wife, while she was working with artists in Alberta. After the birth of their twin sons, Roy Jr. and Randy, the family returned to northern Ontario. In 1997, Thomas opened his own studio, where he continued to paint and Louise managed the business. Even after being diagnosed with cancer in 2001, Thomas remained devoted to his art. He described the joy of painting as deeply personal, saying his work often felt like it was embracing him.

After his death in 2004, Louise transformed the studio into a gallery to support and promote Indigenous artists, including their son Randy and painter Andrew Machendagoos. Roy Thomas's legacy endures through his powerful art and his role in shaping a vibrant Indigenous art movement.

Note: click on the large detailed image to see Alexander Anthony, captured amidst the unique landscape of Antarctica where he was stationed.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: This Original Painting "Relative" by Roy Thomas is from a collector in Texas.

Recommended Reading: Northwest Indigenous Arts: Basic Forms by Robert E. Stanley Sr.

TAGS: Chippewa, Sioux, Ojibwa, Anishinaabe, Native American Paintings, Roy Thomas