6 × 19 in
in
cm
$5,000
This bronze sculpture engages the viewer at first sight. Once the burnished gloss catches the light and draws the eye, it remains riveted on the figure of a man, the Speaker, whose arms are raised above his head to hold aloft the sun. The visage of the eagle echos throughout the artwork, from its topmost position in the centre of the sun, then mirrored in the face of the man and on his chest, and finally surrounding the entire piece as panels on the man’s skirt. The feet of a raptor brace the man on the curved pedestal, and he wears a ring of cedar bark around his neck. Though cast in bronze, the textures and carvings on Kwaguilth Man make it appear freshly carved from wood, and the simple use of red and black accents highlights the golden tone and fine details.
| Medium | Sculpture |
| Signature | Signed |
| Frame | Unframed |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Seller | Artist |
| Location | Victoria, Canada |
| Provenance | Artist |
Richard Hunt was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia in 1951. Hunt is Kwakiutl and is from T’sakis (Fort Rupert, BC). His Kwakwala name is highly appropriate, considering his accomplishments. Gwe-la-yo-gwe-la-gya-lis means “A man that travels and wherever he goes, he potlatches.” Through his art, his speaking and his dancing, Hunt has indeed given much to the world.
Hunt comes from a family of internationally respected artists, which include his father, the late Henry Hunt, his grandfather, Mungo Martin, and his brothers and cousins. He has lived most of his life in Victoria. He began carving with his father at the age of thirteen.
In 1973, Hunt began work at the Royal British Columbia Museum as an apprentice carver under his father. The following year, he assumed the duties of chief carver in the Thunderbird Park Carving Program. Hunt continued in this role for twelve years. In 1986, he resigned to begin a new career as a freelance artist.
In 1991, Hunt received the Order of British Columbia “…In recognition of serving with the greatest distinction and excellence in a field of endeavor benefiting the people of the Province of British Columbia and elsewhere.” This prominent award program was established in 1990. Hunt is the first Indigenous artist to be so recognized. In 1994, he received the most prestigious award of his career, the Order of Canada. In 2002, he received the Golden Jubilee Medal, presented to citizens of Canada “who have demonstrated exceptional qualities and outstanding service to their country”.
In May 2004, Hunt was accepted into the membership of the Royal Academy of the Arts in recognition of his outstanding achievements within the visual arts. In June 2004, he received an Honourary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria. This prestigious award has a special meaning to Hunt, because his late father was awarded the same degree in 1983.
In October 2009, Hunt received the BC Creative Achievement Award for Aboriginal Art, and, in March 2012, he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, which is presented to citizens of Canada “who have demonstrated exceptional qualities and outstanding service to their country”.
Additional Achievements and Recognitions:
May 2014 – Hunt was inducted into Victoria High School’s “Wall of Fame”.
April 2015 – the Victoria TC 10K road race choose Hunt’s design, “Dancing Heron” as their race logo.
March 2015 – the Royal Canadian Mint released a third coin with a Hunt design. The first, “the Welcoming”, was followed by “Two Loons” and, recently, “Mother Feeding Baby”.
May 2016 – Harbour Air Seaplane Terminal unveiled Hunt’s artwork, “The Family”.
November 2018 – BC Ferries unveiled Hunt’s “Sea Wolf” which will adorn the ferry that sails from Port Hardy to Bella Bella.
March 2022 – Hunt finished a large mural for a private collector, which is now hanging in a brand-new building in downtown Victoria, B.C.
Source: www.richardhunt.com
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