Cranmer, Kevin
Kevin Cranmer, originates from
Kevin’s first artistic experiences came as a small boy when he would accompany his father to Tony Hunt’s original Arts of the Raven Gallery. It was during these times, when he watched his father and other artists at work, that the seeds of interest were planted that would lead to the many artistic endeavors that would follow. Inspired by his father, Danny, and encouraged by his mother, Lily, his first formal instruction came under the tutelage of his cousin, George Hunt Jr. After a time, Kevin approached master carver Tony Hunt with whom he worked to further his understanding of traditional Kwagiulth design.
During his time with Raven Arts, Kevin observed and worked alongside such renowned artists as Tony Hunt Sr., Tony Hunt Jr., and Calvin Hunt. His first carvings consisted of smaller pieces such as plaques, rattles, and figures before progressing to masks, feast dishes, and model poles. Kevin’s introduction to larger monumental sculpture began when he first started to work alongside renowned Nuu-chah-nulth artist Tim Paul in
Kevin’s credits include several large cooperative projects: a forty-foot pole, which stands in Stanley Park, Vancouver, a thirty foot pole on display at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa and a thirty-six foot pole carved for the closing ceremonies at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand.
Kevin has been initiated as a Hamatsa, the most important of the complex dance societies of the Kwagiulth. In becoming a Hamatsa, Kevin has become increasingly aware of the role an artist plays in relation to the potlatch ceremony. The Cranmer family has a rich history of potlatching, the high standards of these ceremonies being set by Kevin’s late grandfather, Chief Pal’ nakwala Wa’ kas (Dan Cranmer). The greatest satisfaction Kevin gets from being an artist is creating pieces for family and the use of his work in ceremonies. So long as there is a need for such regalia, Kevin will continue to strive to fill the need and grow and learn as an artist.
