Jeff Thomas (photographer) facts for kids

Jeff Thomas (born 1956) is a famous Onondaga Nation photographer. He is also a curator, which means he helps organize art shows. He lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Jeff Thomas is well-known for his photos that explore the lives of First Nations people in Canada today. He often shows how people sometimes think of Indigenous people as only part of the past. But his art shows them as they are now, living modern lives.

One of his cool projects is called "Indians on Tour." He started it in 2000. In this series, he uses small, toy-like "Indian" figures. He places them in different places, like nature, cities, or near old buildings. Then he takes pictures of them. This helps him show how First Nations people are part of all parts of life. He also has a series called "Vanishing Race." It looks at old ideas about Indigenous people.

Jeff Thomas is also the father of Ehren "Bear Witness" Thomas. Ehren is a member of the music group The Halluci Nation, which used to be called A Tribe Called Red.

Early Life

Jeff Thomas was born in 1956 in Buffalo, New York. When he was growing up, he spent time in Buffalo. He also spent time on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve.

Photography and Art

Jeff Thomas's photography often shows what it's like to be an "urban Iroquoian person." He explores what he calls "symbols of Indian-ness." This means he looks at things that people think represent Indigenous culture.

His amazing artwork has been shown in many art galleries and museums. You can find his photos across Canada, in the United States, and even in parts of Europe. In 1997, Jeff Thomas was featured in a movie. It was a documentary film called "Shooting Indians: A Journey with Jeffrey Thomas." This film was first shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Where to See His Art

Jeff Thomas's photographs are part of many important art collections. This means museums and galleries own his work. Here are some places where his art can be found:

• Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, Ottawa
• Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa
• Carleton University Art Gallery, Ottawa
• Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa
• Oakville Galleries, Oakville, Ontario
• Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops, B.C.
• National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
• MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie, Ontario
• Museum of the American Indian, Washington
• Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne, Switzerland
• Museum der Weltkulturen, Frankfurt, Germany
• The British Museum, London, England
• Ottawa Art Gallery
• Winnipeg Art Gallery
• Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford, Ontario

Awards and Recognition

Jeff Thomas has received special awards for his art. In 2008, he won the Karsh Award in Photography. This award is given to talented photographers. In 2019, he received the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts. This is one of Canada's highest honors for artists.