Name of artist:  Ben Dick ("Blackie")
Present address:Nanaimo, B.C.
Date of birth: July 7, 1926
Place of birth: Kingcome Inlet
Occupation:  Fulltime craftsman

Relationship to other established artists and carvers: Son of James (Jimmy) Dick, artist; Jimmy Dick was a carver and painter of sorts; his totem poles are in Campbell River and in the Victoria area; the world's tallest totem pole in Alert Bay was carved under his direction; many of his masks are still in use; father of Beau Dick, artist.

Biographical notes:

• belongs to the Tsawatainuk band, Gwa'yi reserve, of Kingcome Inlet; used to reside there, but moved to Alert Bay and later to Nanaimo. was a very good painter and very prolific; he no longer paints.
• attended art school, and has a good knowledge of Kwagiutl tradition.
• is very well known in Alert Bay as an artist

• has murals on almost every public building in Alert Bay, including the school and the Bayside Inn
• did wood carving and painted designs but was essentially a two-dimensional designer.  He produced two-dimensional designs on paper and canvas and made these for sale.In his paintings he sometimes combined flat design with a scenic background.  He did some sculptural carving, plaques, and coffee tables, most consisting of basically flat design with relief.
• assisted with the designing and carving of the world's tallest totem ple in Alert Bay.  He also designed and painted the house front of the community house in Alert Bay.
• his work is in the collections of the BC Provincial Museum, the UBC Museum of Anthropology, and the Glenbow Museum.
• BCPM catalogue number 13689 is a model totem pole carved and painted by Ben Dick and Ben Dick Jr. in replica of King George V in Kingcome.  The pole was presented to Lt. Gov. Nicholson in 1970.
• this collection contains 18 of his paintings.

Published references to Ben Dick and his work:

• 14 Sept. 1973, "Heritage," Province, p.29
• in Kwakiutl Art by Audrey Hawthorn, 1979 (figs. 507, 508 on p. 254).