Francis Dick was born in in 1959 in ‘Ya̱lis’ (Alert Bay). She is from the Musǥa̱’makw Dzawada̱’enux̱w or, Four Tribes of Kingcome Inlet, and descends from the Kawadelakala (Supernatural Wolf). In 1994, Francis was initiated Hamatsa. Her work depicts her Kwakwaka’wakw heritage by blending social awareness and cultural values in a contemporary NorthWest coast style.
Francis is a multi medium artist, creating colourful and thought provoking NorthWest Coast First Nation art today. Her first painting, Kawakelekal, was created in 1995, to honour the life and death of her grandmother. Her courageous artwork often uncovers hope and beauty in subjects normally perceived in despair.
Francis’ work is not limited to any one medium. She is prolific with acrylics, wood carvings, jewelry design and glass etchings. Her art is not bound by the constraints of expectations; she creates her visions as she wants them to be seen.