HUNT RICHARD

Richard Hunt, a kwa-giulth of the Kwakiutl people, was born in Alert Bay, although he has spent most of his formative years in Victoria. Here he absorbed much of traditional Kwakiutl culture through his family’s involvement in totem carving projects at the British Columbia Provincial Museum. His grandfather, the late Mungo Martin, directed these projects. Richard began carving in his teens and has worked extensively with his brother’s perfecting his technique. He is presently chief carver at the Provincial museum. There is much demand for his exceptional carvings of masks and poles. His masks are major part of Kwakiutl dances and potlatches on the Northwest coast and Richard is an accomplished dancer himself. His interest in two-dimensional design stems from high school art classes. His prints are also of the highest quality in the traditional Kwakiutl style.