Panel depicting Orca Moon, 2025
by Jason Henry Hunt, Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation
Red cedar, Pāua shell, Manila rope, pigment
38" high x 36" wide x 8" deep
Kwakwaka’wakw Nation artist Jason Henry Hunt was born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1973. His descendants come from the village of Fort Rupert, British Columbia. After completing his third year at college in 1994, Jason became attracted to his family's artistic heritage. Watching his father renowned Kwakwaka’wakw carver Stanley C. Hunt design and carve pieces, Jason became fascinated by the art.
Jason decided to try his hand at the craft that has been passed down in his family for four generations. Jason's lineage strongly influenced his decision to expand his knowledge of his artistic history. Under the tutelage of his father, Jason began to explore the distinct culture and art form of the Kwakwaka'wakw people.
Out of respect for traditional methods, Jason limits the use of power tools to rough out his work and knife finishes his pieces as opposed to using sandpaper. As well, he strives to maintain the integrity and authenticity of his work by being well versed on the significance, meaning, and legends behind each of the figures he incorporates into his carvings.
In 2010, in collaboration with his father, brother, cousins, Mervyn Child and Calvin Hunt, Jason helped carve a massive 52ft totem pole his father was commissioned to create. This prestigious totem pole is now the center piece of Canada Square in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is one of the great milestones of his career.
Today, Jason is the youngest steward of a rich legacy of creativity and monumental works that can be found in both private and public collections including the Royal BC Museum, Museum of Natural History, Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Anthropology at UBC, and the National Museum of the American Indian.
