Maxwa̱la̱’og̱wa (Francis Dick), known as 'Potlatching Woman,' was born in 1959 into the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw Band from the four tribes of Kingcome Inlet. A contemporary Aboriginal artist, Francis Dick is a member of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation, descended from the supernatural Wolf, Kawadelekala, the progenitor of the Kingcome people. The image of this mythical creature features prominently in Francis Dick's native art, signifying her connection to her cultural heritage. Francis deeply values this ancestral knowledge, drawing strength from it. She states, "Above all, my work honors my life's journey, my path through trials, from pain and darkness to a place where I can stand in my truth; my work is not just a career, it's a way of life." After earning her degree from the University of Victoria and starting a career in social work, Francis soon recognized her true vocation was to express her innate artistic abilities. Her first Aboriginal painting, 'Kawadelekala,' was created and published to honor her grandmother's life and spirit following her passing in December 1985. Just four months later, after the tragic loss of her youngest brother, Jesse, to suicide, she crafted her second painting to pay tribute to him. The grief of losing Jesse led her to a crossroads, sparking a journey of self-discovery through her Northwest Coast art. Prestine Condition ~ Printed in 2002 ~ Edition 59/100
