Hunt, Tony (Chief) (1942 - 2017)

Hunt, Tony (Chief) (1942 - 2017)

Chief Tony Hunt (1942 - 2017).... still hard to believe that he's gone... we are sending our condolences to all our friends and family members of the Hunt family - we will miss him !!!!

Chief Tony was born at the Kwakwaka'wakw community of T’saxis (Fort Rupert) on Vancouver Island, BC. He is the hereditary chief of the KwaGulth people of Fort Rupert and of the Dzawada’enuxw People from the Kincome Inlet and is one of the greatest living native artists of the Pacific Northwest. He is fluent in his native Kwak’wala language, which was taught to him by his grandfather, legendary artist Chief Mungo Martin.

Chief Hunt created Thunderbird Park with his father, Chief Henry Hunt, and his grandfather, Chief Mungo Martin. Chief Tony Hunt also designed the Hunt Family Big House in the Royal B.C. Museum, which is a showpiece for the world and a place of pride for his people.

His grand masterpiece is the very impressive KwaGulth ceremonial Big House at Fort Rupert – the largest traditional native structure ever built in the Pacific Northwest.

Chief Hunt has designed nearly 100 full-scale totem poles – more than any First Nation artist. Tony’s artwork has captivated an international audience. Many of his works are celebrated monuments in countries around the world. Victoria’s sister cities Morioka, Japan and Souchow, China, both have poles carved by him as gifts from the people of Victoria. He also has works of art in international museums and in the Canadian Embassies in Mexico City and the former German Capital of Bonn.

Among the many honours awarded to Chief Hunt outside his traditional culture are an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Royal Roads University and Citation of Merit from the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. The Order of British Columbia, two additional Honorary Doctorates, the Commonwealth Medal of Honor, as well as the Victoria, B.C. Citizen of the Year 2011.

Chief Hunt has been presented to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and has given her three works of art.

Most recently Chief Hunt worked with The Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, on two canoe projects. The first was the river going canoe “Shxwtitosel”, which was given by His Honour to the Province of B.C. The second canoe, “the Salish Seas”, was given by His Honour to the Canadian Navy.

I had the pleasure of meeting Chief Tony in person many times and am honoured to call him my friend. It was always such a pleasure to listen to his stories, especially when he talks about Mungo Martin and his childhood - how it was growing up, learning and being so much loved and cared for by such an incredibly historically important but most of all, loving mentor and grand father - and to learn through him the true and history of his peoples.

Chief Tony Hunt Sr. and David Mungo Knox Bentwood Box

Chief Tony Hunt Sr. and David Mungo Knox Bentwood Box

Chief Tony Hunt Sr. and David Mungo Knox Bentwood Box

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Hand colored Print by Chief Tony Hunt

Hand colored Print by Chief Tony Hunt

Hand colored Print by Chief Tony Hunt

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Transformation - Original and hand painted, rare piece of art by Chief Tony Hunt Sr.- SOLD

Transformation - Original and hand painted, rare piece of art by Chief Tony Hunt Sr.- SOLD

Transformation, Original hand colored, Artist Proof, rare piece by Chief Tony Hunt Sr.

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