ROY THOMAS (1949-2004) ANISHINAABE (OJIBWE)
Bird and Fish, 1975
acrylic on canvas, 30 x 47 in (76.2 x 119.4 cm)
signed and dated, "ᑲᑲᑭᑭ/'75"

Provenance
Waddington's, Toronto, 22 September 2011, Lot 79;
Acquired from the above by the present Private Collection, Toronto.

Roy Thomas's Bird and Fish, 1975 captures a pivotal moment in the artist's career, marrying the traditional Woodlands 'x-ray' style, pioneered by Norval Morrisseau, with the emerging lyrical linework that would become Thomas’s signature. In the present canvas a striking palette of bold colours captivates the viewer. Rich blacks against crisp white ground create a stark contrast that is softened by the serene blues and energized by the inclusion of vibrant orange-red and yellow. The forms of the fish and bird are smooth and flowing, suggesting a fluid connection between them and creating a rhythmic harmony throughout the image.