Thomas Cannell

Thomas Cannell is a Coast Salish artist born on Musqueam traditional territory in 1980. He has always lived amongst his family on the Musqueam Reserve in Vancouver BC, and has been immersed in the long-established art and cultural traditions of his ancestors.

Thomas has worked alongside his mother Coast Salish artist Susan Point, spending years training and honing his skills as a carver and designer. Beginning his career as a young apprentice carver, he worked on many large-scale public art works, beginning at the age of 15.

Thomas has attended Langara College, studying many aspects of art, ranging from art history, to photography, electronic media and graphic design. Thomas attended the College of the Rockies and graduated from Capilano University's Tourism Program, reflecting his passion for the environment and his belief in the importance of eco friendly tourism and sustainability.

He enjoys the challenge and experience of working with every medium that he chooses; nevertheless, his primary interest is in working with wood and perfecting his chainsaw technique, as he finds every characteristic of woodwork irresistible. He has said that everything stems from pencil and paper though, so he spends a lot of time designing.

In 2014, Thomas was awarded a British Columbia Achievement Award for First Nations Art and is a board member on the British Columbia Arts Council. His public artworks can be found throughout the lower mainland.