Bo-Qui-La - Limited Edition Print
Bo-Qui-La - Limited Edition Print
19" x 17"
1982
Edition of 75
This print was part of Lattimer Gallery's From the Archives: Vintage Prints from the Northwest Coast show, which took place online from March 25th-April 8th, 2023.
Bo-Qui-La (also Boquilla or Bukwila or Bukʷi·la·) was a Dididaht Whaling Chief and he is depicted here carrying a whale as the ultimate offering. Art Thompson also carved a 15-foot-tall welcoming figure of Bo-Qui-La in 1997 which now stands in front of Lansdowne’s Wilna Thomas Cultural Centre in Victoria.
Art Thompson
CULTURAL GROUP:
Nuu-chah-nulth (Ditidaht)
BORN:
1948 (d. 2003)
BIRTHPLACE:
Nitinaht Village of Whyac, BC
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. Art 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. Art 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.
