Harold Thomas

Harold Joseph Thomas was born c. 1947 and is an Indigenous Australian descended from the Luritja people of Central Australia Harold was taken from his family and placed at St John's Hostel. When Harold has eleven he was sent to South Australia's St.Frances House, an Anglican institution for Aboriginal boys. Shortly after this Harold was fostered to a white family. At school he exceeded in sports and this is where his interest began in painting.

After high school Harold won a scholarship to study at the South Australia School of Art and later studied social anthropology at the University of Adelaide. During his studies Harold also became actively involved in Aboriginal Civil Rights movement and designed the Aboriginal Flag in 1971.

The Aboriginal flag was designed as a symbol of the Indigenous land rights movement. In 1995 the flag was made an official "flag of Australia". Later he was involved in a high-profile Federal and High Court cases to assert copyright over his design, which he won and rightfully so. The flag remain still today a strong and unifying symbol for Aboriginal rights and justice.

Harold Thomas is of the most talented watercolour artist. His work is a visual essay of the top end landscape and wildlife. Sabine Haider from Central Art says " I see Harold very much a mentor for me and have the up most respect for him as an artist and a person"

Harold Thomas has lived in Darwin for more than thirty five years. He has a deep spiritual love within for his country, its environment and wildlife.

Central Art has respected Harold wishes not display a photograph of him. Its something he is not fond of.

This artist biography and photograph is copyright protected. Please view our copyright policy if you would like to reproduce this material.