Kwakwaka’ wakw 1923-1985

Henry Hunt Finishing Expo ’67 Pole in Montreal
Image PN12760-14 courtesy of the Royal BC Museum and Archives

Henry Hunt came to Victoria from Fort Rupert and became involved with the Provincial Museum’s Thunderbird Park carving program studying under his father Chief Mungo Martin. Following Martin’s death in 1962, Hunt was appointed master carver at Thunderbird Park and trained his sons Tony and Richard. He supplemented his income with small-scale carvings made in his home. They were often stained and polished masks not intended to be worn since they had no drilled eyes or hollowed space. These carvings allowed Hunt to experiment and establish his own style within the conventions of formline design.

Raven Head with Open Beak 1971
Stained red cedar
13.20 x 50.15
Gift of Dr. Peter Smart