Francis Dick

Artist Photo - Francis Dick

Artist Photo – Francis Dick

Name:
Francis Dick (1959 – )
Gender:
Female
Style:
Kwakwaka’wakw
Region:
Pacific Northwest Coast, Canada


Maxwa̱la̱’og̱wa (Francis Dick) ‘Potlatching Woman’ was born in 1959 into the Musqamakw Dzawadaenutw Band (the four tribes of Kingcome Inlet). Francis Dick is a contemporary aboriginal artist and a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation descendant of the supernatural Wolf, Kawadelekala, who became the first of the Kingcome people.

The image of this mythical being is prominent in much of Francis Dick’s native art, acknowledging her contemporary ties to her cultural heritage. Francis holds this very near to the centre of her spirit, as she relies on this hereditary knowledge for her strength. “Before anything else, my work is about honouring my life process, my journey, through my fires, from places of pain and darkness to places that I might stand in my truth; my work is not a career, it’s a way of life.”

Francis began her career as a social worker after receiving her degree from the University of Victoria, but quickly realized that her true calling in life was to honour her natural artistic talents.

Francis Dick’s first aboriginal painting, Kawadelekala, was created, then published, as a way to honour her grandmother’s life and spirit after her death in December of 1985. Four months later, her youngest brother, Jesse, took his own life. She created her second aboriginal painting as a way to acknowledge her love and honour for her brother. The pain of losing Jesse took her to a doorway where her journey of self discovery began through her northwest coast art.


Francis Dick is an integral member of the native art community, and is frequently requested to speak for various community organizations, women’s groups and university classes. She has been invited to speak as a guest lecturer as far away as Europe and has had native art exhibitions all around the globe, including China and the Middle East. Francis’ native art has been exhibited in various art galleries and museums, including a permanent exhibit at the Ethnological Museum in Berlin. Her aboriginal paintings, as well as articles and interviews, have been published in books, calendars and magazines all over North America, Asia and Europe.

Although Francis Dick’s primary forms of artistic expression have been her aboriginal paintings, prints and singing, she also works with gold and silver, and is an accomplished writer and performer of native ceremonies.

Although Francis Dick’s primary forms of artistic expression have been her aboriginal paintings, prints and singing, she also works with gold and silver, and is an accomplished writer and performer of native ceremonies.

Art Work

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    2005
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    Celebration of Life by Francis Dick 2005 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Celebration of Life

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    2005
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    Chief Spence by Francis Dick 2013 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Chief Spence

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    2013
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    Child to Mother by Francis Dick 1997 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Child to Mother

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    1997
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    Dragonfly by Francis Dick 2010 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Dragonfly

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    2010
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    Eagle's Freedom by Francis Dick 2004 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Eagle’s Freedom

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    2004
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    HAMATSA by Francis Dick 2013 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    HAMATSA

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    2013
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    Hamumu by Francis Dick 2000 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Hamumu

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    2000
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    Raelene

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    1999
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    RED by Francis Dick 2015 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    RED

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    2015
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    Shai by Francis Dick 2014 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Shai

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    2014
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    She Wears Red Lipstick by Francis Dick 2011 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    She Wears Red Lipstick

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    2011
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    Where I Stand by Francis Dick 2013 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Where I Stand

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    2013
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    Witness by Francis Dick 2011 - Northwest Coast - Kwakwaka’wakw

    Witness

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    2011
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