TOM HUNT’S MASK

29.09.2020

Tom D. Hunt is a carver and painter of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation with lineages to Blunden Harbour and Fort Rupert. His art is rooted in the ritual and religious context of Potlatch. The son of Hereditary Chief George Hunt and Mary (Henderson) Hunt will overtake the position of a Hereditary Chief after his father’s death.

At the age of twelve Tom began apprenticing in Kwakwaka’wakw-art with his father. Later he worked with other famous carvers, like his brother George Hunt Jr., his uncle Calvin Hunt and his maternal grandfather Sam Henderson, who taught him the specific artistic style of the Nakwaxda’xw Nation (Blunden Harbour).

The wide range of Tom Hunt's carving art, which is also outstanding and colourful, extends from large-format heraldic poles and architectural elements to filigree, intricate pieces. His art not only witnesses the quality workmanship, but manifests as well Tom Hunts deep knowledge in Kwakwaka’wakw culture, myths and rituals. Every piece tells a story, every image has a special purpose and meaning. In 1997, Tom Hunt participated in an exhibition at the Weltkulturen Museum. During his stay in Frankfurt he carved a mask for the collection.

This mask is a part of the upcoming exhibition “Let Them Speak! Comments from British Columbia, Canada”. 7th to 21st October, Weltkulturen Labor.

In the film accompanying the exhibition, Tum Hunt comments on and contextualizes his work with reference to objects from the Museum’s collection.