Ivan Thomas

Nuu-chah-nulth Nation artist Ivan Thomas was born at the Tseshaht First Nation located in Port Alberni, British Columbia, in 1973. He is known for his intricate carving work on sterling silver and gold jewellery.

Ivan developed his skills under the watchful eye of Derek Wilson, a renowned jewellery artist of the Haisla nation. He has also been influenced by several other master carvers, Patrick Amos, Ron Hamilton and Bill Reid. In addition to learning from established carvers, Ivan attended Vancouver College for their jewellery program.

With the imagination of a true artist, Ivan continues to push the limits of what can be done, and he works constantly at creating new methods and new ways of expressing both the traditional and the contemporary.