James Kwaksistala began carving in 2022 under the guidance of his uncle, Rob Kwaksistala. What started as a spring apprenticeship during his final year of high school soon became a turning point, awakening a desire for connection to his Indigenous heritage.
He relocated from Vancouver to Campbell River to study with master carvers Bill Henderson, Junior Henderson, and Greg Henderson, immersing himself in the discipline of Northwest Coast carving.
Rooted in wood, his practice extends into painting, digital design, and printmaking. Through each medium, James continues to explore identity, lineage, and the living continuity of tradition.
