240419-18 Raven Cresting the Moon, Kwagulth, George Hunt Jr./ Tony Hunt Jr. ca 1990
ca 1990
28" diameter x 6.5" deep / central mask 11" high x 10" wide
Signed by both artist; titled and dated
Tony Hunt, Jr. (1961 - 2017) was active/lived in British Columbia / Canada. Tony Hunt Jr is known for Wood carving, waterfowl. Tony Hunt (b. 1961) was born into a wealth of tradition. His great-grandfather, Mungo Martin has been credited with much of the revitalization of the Kwakwaka'wakw culture in the latter half of this century. His late grandfather, Henry Hunt and his father, Hereditary Chief Tony Hunt, are both renowned Kwakwaka'wakw carvers. Tony Jr. is a highly accomplished artist, whose work is sought by both museums and private collectors in many parts of the world. His family crests are Raven and Sisiutl. Tony is an initiated Hamatsa dancer and has inherited the rights to many high ranking dances belonging to his family. Tony assisted his grandfather, father, brother, and cousins in building the first big house erected in Fort Rupert in 70 years. Tony considers this to be his most significant contribution so far to the art and culture of the Kwakwaka'wakw. Tony Hunt Jr. has carved since his childhood, receiving tuition from Henry Hunt, Tony Hunt Sr., Richard Hunt, Calvin Hunt, John Livingston and Gene Brabant. His preferred medium is wood sculpture.
George Hunt Jr. (1958-) Kwakwaka'wakw
George’s Native name is Nas-u-niz, meaning “Light Beyond the World.” George learned how to carve from his father, George Hunt Sr. His step-Great-Grandfather was the famous Kwakwaka’wakw carver, Mungo Martin. George is an accomplished artist, and is also a well-known and respected traditional dancer amongst the Tlingit, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Mawachaht Nations. George was initiated into the Hamatsa Society and began learning the inherited dance steps at the age of sixteen by his paternal grandfather, Chief Thomas Hunt. For the next few years he tried to learn as much about his people’s culture as he could. George apprenticed with Tony Hunt, John Livingston, Calvin Hunt, and Sam Henderson, and has been carving since 1972. As well as being an accomplished dancer George creates original Kwa-guilth works of art with several types of media. His acrylic paintings on paper and canvas, limited edition serigraphs, carvings in wood and precious metals, traditional dance costumes and original drum designs adorn collections around the world.