CULTURAL GROUP:
Squamish

BORN:
October 31, 1989

BIRTHPLACE:
Vancouver, BC

James learned carving at an early age from his father, Xwalacktun, and painting from his mother, Jennifer Kleinsteuber. In 2008, James carved two red cedar house posts for the BC Sports Hall of Fame. In 2011, he received a YVR Career Artist Scholarship, which allowed him to create a 6-foot metal totem pole that emits LED light through Coast Salish designs that is installed at Vancouver International Airport. Also in 2011, James went on an exchange through Emily Carr University to Scotland, where he learned the bronze casting process, and also taught sculpting and painting in various Scottish communities. He graduated from Emily Carr University of Art & Design in Vancouver, BC, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2014. James has done several commissions, including a 200’ x 4.5’ mural in a tunnel for Stanley Park’s miniature train ride (2010-2011), a 54’ x 7’ mural in Stonehaven, Scotland (2011), a 200’ x 15’ piece for Grandview Elementary School, East Vancouver (2011), and a 40’ x 10’ mural for Queensbury Elementary School, North Vancouver (2012). In 2014, James was invited by Creative Scotland and Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburgh to attend the Commonwealth Games in order to demonstrate Coast Salish carving.