OPINION: The gift continues

Last year I received a calendar as a Christmas gift and it now hangs on my office wall. Every month when I turn a new page a striking, colourful image reveals a spiritual truth about time and life.  It’s one of those gifts that keeps on giving.

The calendar is based on a series of paintings entitled Time and Life by renowned native artist Roy Thomas.  It is more meaningful to me now after his friends and family paid tribute to his life and work in a celebration at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.  I was there last Friday along with 100 or so others to listen and learn.

A retrospective of his work, Vision Circle, has just closed but before it was packed up and moved to its next showing in Medicine Hat, Alberta a farewell reception was held at the gallery. 

Four of his long-time friends shared stories and feelings about Roy and then the highlight of the evening was a short talk about Time and Life, his last major series, by his wife Louise Thomas.

When I showed up at the Art Gallery I wasn’t expecting to hear a love story. 

There were four gentlemen there who fondly recalled growing up, travelling around and living with the artist as he painted and developed his style. But when Louise opened her heart and spoke about her life with Roy it was clear that more than anything else, this was going to be an emotional evening.

The beauty and spiritual understanding in Roy Thomas’ painting became even more meaningful after his tragic death at such a young age.  He worked out of a small studio in Thunder Bay, which remains open as an art gallery. It celebrates his life’s work and the efforts of hundreds of other native artists with colourful names like Norval Morriseau, Noel Ducharme and Gelineau Fisher.

Surrounded by the vibrant colors and clean lines of Roy’s art, the room listened while old friends described his journey with tales from Toronto, Edmonton and stops along the way.  Unfortunately, as it was explained, some of the more colourful episodes were not suitable for mixed company and had to be left out.

Native culture and folklore really lends itself to this kind of gathering.  Everyone was made to feel welcome and the smudge ceremony at the beginning included everybody.

It was explained after a spiritual event like this the gallery would be changed forever.

As the four men spoke, their stories were sometimes casual and off the cuff and very often humourous but sometimes they would stray into a very solemn, spiritual place and their emotions were laid bare. At those moments it was clear how big an influence he still is in the lives he touched. He continues to be spoken of in the present tense.

What touched me most was the story of how Roy met Louise.  It happened in Edmonton when Roy’s chums dragged him to a dance and introduced him to some girls they knew.  One of them just happened to be the future Mrs. Thomas.  Roy was smitten, nature took its course and before long they were a couple. 

The love story really unfolded when Louise started to speak.  She sometimes advises people to be careful what they pray for but with Roy her prayers were answered.  She tried to play hard to get but resistance was futile and from that point forward they continued their journey together.

As she remembered the love of her life and shared personal stories with us Louise kept her positive outlook and good sense of humor. But the emotion bubbled up from time to time and the room was filled with joy and sadness all at once, just like any true romance.

She shared some insights into the Time and Life series (my calendar) and she was generous with her recollections but the gallery full of Roy’s painting spoke for itself. 

It was a fitting tribute to an influential mentor and a talented woodland artist.  He continues to live and speak through his art and the loved ones he left behind.  His spirit lives on.

When Roy set up his studio in this community it was a gift to all of us.  The Anishnawbe Art Gallery remains open today and his family calls Thunder Bay home. 

The gift continues.  We are lucky to be included as a part of this important legacy.