Man's hobby becomes life's work in Kwagu'l art

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The hands of an artist are one of the many tools used to create his vision. They're often dripping with paint, callused, or weathered and beaten from the elements and labor, but always full of rich history and stories. And such history lies in the hands of Vancouver Island local artist, Calvin Hunt of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation, who chips and smoothes his visions into the canvas of Western Red Cedar creating Kwagu'l art.

"My grandfather, Chief Mungo, would take me to dances, and it was neat to see the carved masks and how they were used. I have always been interested in Kwagu'l art," said Hunt.

Hunt, 46, told Raven's Eye he was born to a hereditary chief of the Kwagu'l people of Fort Rupert and the daughter of a great Nootka chief and shaman. His family is rooted in Kwagu'l culture and tradition, and his grandfather Chief Mungo Martin, head carver at Thunderbird Park, inspired the traditional elements of dance to a young and impassioned Hunt. At an early age, Hunt's artistic and creative energies were recognized, although he would not learn the art of carving from his grandfather. It was his uncle Henry Hunt and cousin Tony Hunt Sr. who would teach him the history and skills of Kwagu'l carving.

"When I was young, carving was more of a hobby, to make some money, but it has allowed me to start travelling at a young age (15) and meet many types of people," said Hunt.

By the age of 13 he was selling carvings to tourists. Today he has pieces in Japan, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, New York and British Columbia.

His works include "wood, canoe building, silk-screened prints, gold and silver jewelry and stone carving."

Hunt's latest project was a six-metre memorial totem pole, commissioned by the Tillicum and Veterans Care Society in Victoria, which wished to commemorate First Nations veterans. Merv Dutchak, director of environmental services for the society, said, "Hunt was chosen because of his skill, passion, and reliability." The pole-raising ceremony took place on April 16 at the lodge.

Hunt's ideas come from many sources, but he said that usually if artwork is commissioned the people already have an idea of what they want, and "I just expand on that."

That was the case for the Tillicum and Veterans Care Society pole, where Dutchak said that the society wanted the totem to reflect the nobility and strength of the First Nations veterans.

The top part of the pole is an eagle, which symbolizes nobility and integrity.

The next representation is of a warrior, "wrapped in a sisiuth-designed blanket, which has the markings of a double-headed serpent meant to protect the warrior from enemies." The base of the pole depicts a bear grasping a salmon. The salmon represents the return home and the bear a "fearless and determined spirit."

In 1981, Hunt and his wife Marie moved back to Fort Rupert and opened up the Copper Maker Gallery. Mervyn Child, carver and nephew of Hunt who works at the gallery said, "carving is his [Hunt's] love of labour."

He is always pushing the creative boundaries, breaking away from traditionalism, while maintaining the culture and identity of Kwagu'l art. He generates interest and is spontaneous with what he can do, said Child.

Calvin Hunt explained that when he began carving and following in the traditions of Kwagu'l art, there were not many artists around. Although he loves his work he said, "it's been hard to make a living." His children have a passion for art, but he pushes them towards education first. They have to have something to fall back on; it's tough to survive as an artist, said Hunt. "People get the wrong impression when I travel a lot, that I have lots of cash, but it's not like that."

In his younger days, he copied northern-style poles, but through the years has found his own style. "I find inspiration by pieces from the long ago."

Through 30 years of creating, sculpting, chipping and painting, Hunt has maintained his passion for art, which "I will keep doing untilI'm six feet under."

After a three-year struggle to find funding, he has just completed a 22-foot, cedar canoe designed in Nuu-chah-nulth style. It will be unveiled on June 5 in Victoria in partnership with the Victoria Rowing Club. "We're trying to attract Native urban youth, to get them involved in rowing and to share in First Nation culture," said Hunt.