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Name (English only)

Francis Dick

Brief_Bio

b. 1959

Artist Detail - v3

Dzawad'enux (Tsawataineuk); Kwakwaka'wakw
Born in 1959 into the musqamakw Dzawadaenutw Band of Kingcome Inlet, Francis is a member of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. Though she moved away to Victoria as a young adult, she has always maintained her ties to this village, and returned there in 1990-1992 to work as a social worker. After getting her Bachelor of Social Work from UVic. After two years of work, she moved back to Victoria and began to create art for a living. Over a decade later, her home is still paramount to her identity as an aboriginal woman and as a contemporary artist.

Her family is descended from the supernatural Wolf, Kawadelekala who became first of the Kingcome people. The image of this mythical being is prominent in much of Francis' art, acknowledging her contemporary ties to her cultural past. Francis says that "before anything else my work is about honouring my life process, my journey, through my fire, from places of pain and darkness to places that I might stand in my truth; my work is not a career, it is a way of life." This personal journey is reflected in her art, which is a product of her own emotional, spiritual and cultural awakening from her troubled past. Both Native and non-Native audiences have viewed Francis Dick's art as representative of human ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges through journeys of self-discovery.

Although her primary forms of artistic expression have always been through her paintings, prints, and singing, she also works with gold and silver and does some work with wood. She is also an integral member of the artistic community: she offers drum-making workshops and is frequently requested to speak for various community organizations, women's groups, and university classes. In the last decades she has exhibited in dozens of shows including Urban Thunderbirds, Ravens in a Material World in 2014 at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and her work is a part of many private and public collections in Canada.

Artworks

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ImageTitleDate MadePlace MadeCollectionsMaterialsMeasurementsEditionCredit Line
Wi'womaWi'woma1992-Works on PaperInk on paperoverall: 65 cm x 51 cm80/150Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
Walking Thru My FiresWalking Thru My Fires1992/11/01Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperPrint; Serigraphoverall: 48.00 cm x 63.50 cm x 0.00 cm114/140Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
Kawakelekala's HouseKawakelekala's House1994/08/01Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 36.00 cm x 50.50 cm x 0.00 cmP/P; 150 signed; 15 artist proofs; 15 remarquesCanada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
Child to MotherChild to Mother1997Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphframe: 64 cm x 64 cm; image size: 40 cm x 40 cm; overall: 50.50 cm x 42.00 cmPp (edition: 85)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
K'uma'laK'uma'la1989Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 55.40 cm x 73.80 cm x 0.00 cmP/P (edition 0f 140)Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
The GathererThe Gatherer1994Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphframe: 94 cm x 74 cm; frame: 92 cm x 74 cm; image size: 69 cm x 50 cm; overall: 76.50 cm x 56.00 cm90/100Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Galuda (Hamatsa Seagull)Galuda (Hamatsa Seagull)2001Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 40.50 cm x 30.75 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Hamumu (Butterfly)Hamumu (Butterfly)2000Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 42.50 cm x 50.00 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
K'alalilamK'alalilam1987Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 37.70 cm x 55.10 cm x 0.00 cmP/P (edition of 150)Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
U Mata YaU Mata Ya1990Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 55.90 cm x 66.20 cm x 0.00 cmP/PCanada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
Honoring MalidaHonoring Malida1995Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 76.50 cm x 38.00 cm x 0.00 cm54/100Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
The DragonThe Dragon1996Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperPrint; Serigraphoverall: 61.00 cm x 46.00 cm x 0.00 cm33/100Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
AscendingAscending2005Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 66.00 cm x 48.50 cm9/85Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Kank'alanukwKank'alanukw1989Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 47.90 cm x 64.00 cm x 0.00 cmP/PCanada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
Maya Xa LaMaya Xa La1991/08/01Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 43.00 cm x 56.00 cm x 0.00 cm56/140Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
Letting GoLetting Go1992Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 48.50 cm x 63.00 cmPrinter's ProofGift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
KawadelakalaKawadelakala1986Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 50 X 45 cmP/P (200)Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
Kwaxsistala's BeginningsKwaxsistala's Beginnings1994Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 76.60 cm x 55.60 cm x 0.00 cm157/200Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
The DragonThe Dragon1996Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 57.00 cm x 41.50 cm76/100Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
WonderingWondering2000Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 38.50 cm x 36.50 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
RavenRaven2005Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 58.00 cm x 38.50 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Comes a WomanComes a Woman1994Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphframe: 92 cm x 71 cm; frame: 94 cm x 74 cm; image size: 74.5 cm x 55.5 cm; overall: 75.50 cm x 56.00 cm96/150Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Galadzi (Bear)Galadzi (Bear)2003Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 38.00 cm x 32.50 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Robes of PowerRobes of Power2004Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 33.00 cm x 42.00 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Kwaxsistala's BeginningsKwaxsistala's Beginnings1994Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 76.50 cm x 55.00 cmPrinter's ProofGift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Kwi'kwKwi'kw2001Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 43.50 cm x 46.50 cmP/P (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
RobinRobin2002Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 39.50 cm x 38.00 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Spiritual TruthSpiritual Truth1998Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphframe: 68 cm x 68 cm; image size: 41 cm x 41 cm; overall: 49.50 cm x 53.00 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
RaeleneRaelene1999Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 57.00 cm x 41.50 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Keepers of our FiresKeepers of our Fires2001Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphframe: 64.5 cm x 64.5 cm; image size: 36 cm x 36 cm; overall: 46.00 cm x 45.00 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Protected by Spirit BearProtected by Spirit Bear2005Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 54.00 cm x 37.75 cmPp (edition: 200)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Gwa'yiGwa'yi1987Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 42.90 cm x 56.90 cm x 0.00 cm62/150Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
Kawadelekala's HouseKawadelekala's House1994Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 31.75 cm x 46.00 cm148/150Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
The DragonThe Dragon1996Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 57.00 cm x 41.50 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
'Maya xa la'Maya xa la1991Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 37.25 cm x 47.25 cm55/140Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
MakwalaMakwala1991/10/01Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperPrint; Serigraphoverall: 43.00 cm x 56.00 cm x 0.00 cm53/140Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Grant, Purchased from the Collection of Vincent Rickard
Breaking ThroughBreaking Through1995Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 53.00 cm x 50.50 cm x 0.00 cm30/100Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
ConnectionConnection1998Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphframe: 74.5 cm x 59 cm; image size: 43 cm x 26 cm; overall: 53.50 cm x 38.00 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Celebration of LifeCelebration of Life2006Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphframe: 74.5 cm x 59 cm; image size: 51 cm x 33 cm; overall: 51.50 cm x 33.50 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Letting GoLetting Go1992Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 48.00 cm x 63.00 cm x 0.00 cm124/140Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
Breaking ThruBreaking Thru1995Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 48.00 cm x 45.50 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Eagle's FreedomEagle's Freedom2004Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 46.00 cm x 51.25 cm15 (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
Gwayamdzi (Whale)Gwayamdzi (Whale)2004Gwayi (Kingcome Inlet); British Columbia; CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 26.75 cm x 49.50 cmPp (edition: 100)Gift from the Collection of George and Christiane Smyth
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