Art Thompson

Art Thompson belonged to the Ditidaht (Dee-tee-daht) Band of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people. He was born in 1948 at the Nitinat village of Wyhac. He was one of the few artists working in the Nuu-chah-nulth style during the 1970’s. He studied with Ron Hamilton and Joe David, two of the artists most responsible for the resurgence of Nuu-chah-nulth art.

Art was first known for his innovative work in serigraphy, bringing new colors and original subject matter to the medium. In recent years, his most exciting work has been in combining mediums such as wood and silver in the complex sculptural forms of frontlets, masks and crest hats.

It is rare to see such beautiful examples of traditional Nuu-chah-nulth design applied to bracelets and brooches. His strong, sinuous lines and precise engraving combine to produce striking pieces of wearable art.

Art passed away in 2003.