Collection: Karen Francis
Artist Name: Ksim La’gil’ensxw
Cultural Group: Matrilineally Gitxsan
Born: Vancouver, BC
Ksim La’gil’ensxw (born 1974 in Vancouver, BC) graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts from Emily Carr University specializing in oil painting. Ksim La’gil’ensxw also practices in several other mediums, such as acrylic and oil painting, wood carving, and beading. She grew up in the lower mainland to a Gitxsan mother and Nisga’a father. Ksim La’gil’ensxw is a child of the Sixties Scoop, being adopted into a non-native home before going into foster care at 12 years old. While attending Emily Carr, Ksim La’gil’ensxw found her biological family and began a journey of reclamation. On this journey, she began to connect to family and culture through different Indigenous organizations and a rich network of Indigenous artists, and began to learn the pictographic language of formline and carving from various northwest coast Indigenous artists, including her partner. Traditionally in matrilineal culture, the mother’s line is the one that is followed, so Ksim La’gil’ensxw is Lax Gibuu from the Wilp (House) of Nii Kyep. Her great grandmother is Kathleen Wale who was married to Simon Gunanoot. Many cultural teachings came from her late Gigi (grandmother) Rena Benson Simoogit (hereditary chief) and Ye’eh (grandfather) Frank Benson. Ksim has been involved in public works such as Reconciled Futures through the Museum of Vancouver and has had art shows in various museums and galleries across Vancouver.
