Man's hobby becomes life's work

Page 19

The hands of an artist are counted among the many tools used to create a vision. Often they are dripping with paint, or cracked and callused from the elements and his labor. Always they are full of the rich history and stories he wants to transform into his work. History is at work in the hands of Vancouver Island artist Calvin Hunt of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation, who chips and smoothes his stories into the canvas of Western Red Cedar.

"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.

He was born to a hereditary chief of the Kwagu'l people of Fort Rupert and the daughter of a Nootka chief and shaman. His family is rooted in Kwagu'l culture and tradition, and his grandfather, Chief Mungo Martin, was head carver at Thunderbird Park in Victoria at the provincial museum. 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 traveling at a young age 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 and New York. He works in wood, gold, silver and stone.

Hunt's latest project is a six-metre memorial totem pole, commissioned by the Tillicum and Veterans Care Society in Victoria, which wanted 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 who 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 his younger days Hunt 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 it until I'm six feet under."

He also just completed a 22-foot cedar canoe designed in Nuu-chah-nulth style. It will be unveiled on June 5 in Victoria at 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.