Half Moon & Whole Moon Masks, 1995
by Tony Hunt Jr. (1961-2017), Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation
Red cedar, pigment
21” high x 10” wide x 9” deep (Half Moon)
21” high x 10” wide x 7” deep (Whole Moon)
In Kwakwaka’wakw tradition, the Full Moon and Half Moon are seen to battle for the right to show themselves at night. In one particular dance, the Full Moon and the Half Moon come out on the dance floor making noise and pointing to the moon shape above their respective masks.
The singers, realizing that Half Moon and Whole Moon are fighting over who should show themselves that night suggest they have a dance contest. Whole moon is an elegant elder, dancing with grace and beauty. Half Moon is the young upstart, dancing with crazy ostentatious moves, pandering to the audience, and doing their best to thwart whole moon at every turn. After a hilarious bought of dancing, the winner is declared by the assembled guests, and can journey across the sky that evening.
Tony Hunt Jr.(1961-2017), a Kwaguilth artist and dancer, was born December 4th 1961 in Victoria, British Columbia. He was a member of the Hunt family of Fort Rupert that includes many artists such as his father Tony Hunt Sr. and his uncles Richard and Stan Hunt.
Tony began carving at an early age. While in his senior years in high school a special program was put in place enabling him to spend half his time on academics and half carving at the Arts Of The Raven workshop under the direction of his father.
As an initiated Hamatsa, Tony regularly danced at potlaches. His work reflects a family tradition that traces back to his grandfather Henry Hunt and his great grandfather Mungo Martin. Tony spent his life learning the Kwaguilth art form from his elders and contemporaries. His images are traditional but contain elements of his own creativity.
Tony's work is sought after by collectors all around the world. His work was part of the exhibition "Chiefly Feasts," that was shown at the Royal Museum of British Columbia and the Burke Museum in Seattle, Washington.
