Jake Kimble: Reclaiming Narratives Through Self-Portraiture

Jake Kimble’s story doesn’t begin in a gallery, or even near one. It begins in Treaty 8 territory, where traditional art spaces felt distant. During trips to Edmonton, it was the glossy tabloid magazines in grocery store checkout lines that gave him his first glimpse into the visual world—a preview of what would later become his language as an artist. Now based in Vancouver, Jake identifies as two-spirited, a truth about himself that shapes his art and worldview. It influences how he sees, how he moves through the world, and ultimately, how he tells stories. His practice—spanning photography, self-portraiture, and curation—blends humour, personal history, and the gravity of lived experience. In this episode, Jake opens up about grief and how photography became a tool for survival, a way to process the unbearable. We also explore his concept of “queering the lens,” how he turns traditional photography inside out, challenging colonial narratives and reimagining gender and identity. Content warning: This episode briefly discusses grief and suicide at 32:57. As Curatorial Director at Ceremonial/Art Gallery, Jake’s work expands outward, focusing on creating space for Indigenous voices, both his own and others, voices that need to be heard. We discuss the ongoing challenges Indigenous artists face in the Canadian art world—the systems in place, the weight of histories that never quite leave—and how he’s working to shift and disrupt them, in large and small ways. You can explore Jake’s work on his website and follow him on Instagram. His upcoming exhibitions include Picturing Ourselves at The ACT Arts Centre Gallery, running until December 21, 2024, and his participation in Art Toronto with United Contemporary from October 24-27, 2024, where he will also talk about his practice. Remember to follow ArtBeat on Instagram, subscribe to our podcast, and leave a rating on your preferred platform.