(1932 – 1978, Kwakwaka’wakw)

Born on Gilford Island (Gwayasdums) in what is now British Columbia, Allen James was a Kwakwaka’wakw artist whose paintings extensively depict Kwikwasut’inuxw rights and customs. Masks were a vital part of the culture, as they were crucial for dancers to portray characters, from mythological beings to animals to natural forces, in ceremonial dances. Here, James’ work is rendered with conviction and imagination. It is free and dynamic in execution.

A self-taught artist, Allen James has several hundred of his works at the Campbell River Museum. He worked only in flat design and began with illustrations of dancers in traditional dress; he also worked on crest designs.