Qwul'thilum Dylan Thomas is a contemporary Coast Salish artist born in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1986. He is a member of the Lyackson First Nation of Valdes Island, with additional Songhees, Squamish, and Snuneymuxw heritage.
Exposed to Coast Salish art at a young age through his culturally active family, Thomas developed a passion for the art form. He trained in jewellery techniques with the late Seletze (Delmar Johnnie) and apprenticed under renowned Kwakwaka'wakw artist Rande Cook, learning various mediums of Northwest Coast art including wood carving, painting, and jewellery. His work is also influenced by artists such as Susan Point, Robert Davidson, and the late Art Thompson.
Thomas is known for his distinctive style that blends traditional Salish design elements with influences from global geometric art traditions, including Vajrayana Buddhist mandalas, Celtic knots, and Islamic tessellations. His artwork often features circular forms and complex interplay between positive and negative space, referencing Coast Salish spindle whorls.
His work has been exhibited widely, including a solo exhibition titled "Sacred Geometry" in 2016. He was also selected as the Indigenous Artist in Residence for the City of Victoria from 2019 to 2021, aiming to honour local Indigenous people through his creations. Thomas has also shared his knowledge as an Indigenous Scholar, teaching visual art, math, and humanities.
