Mandala

This is a Salish version of a contemporary mandala. The mandala originates in East Indian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. These geometric paintings represent the cosmos from a human perspective. They are used as meditation tools to grab the viewer’s attention and help him achieve deep states of meditation.

After seeing the beauty of Buddhist mandalas, I decided to do a Salish version. I enjoy doing cross-cultural art because art is one of the only practices that appears in all cultures known to man. Art is one of the things that makes us human and bridging different cultural art forms helps me feel the unity of mankind.

– Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas (b. 1986) is a Coast Salish artist from Victoria, British Columbia, descended from the Lyackson First Nation, Valdes Island, British Columbia. Dylan was exposed to Coast Salish art at a young age as his family upheld their culture and participated in their traditions.

Dylan has trained in jewelry design with the late artist Seletze, also known as Delmar Johnnie. He has apprenticed with renowned Kwakwaka’wakw artist Rande Cook in all other media. Some of Dylan’s artistic influences are Susan Point, Robert Davidson and the late Art Thompson.