Granville Island
Ocean Artworks
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Granville Island
Ocean Artworks
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Richard comes from a family of internationally respected artists, which include his father, Henry Hunt, and his grandfather, Mungo Martin. Richard Hunt received the Order of British Columbia. Richard is the first native artist to be recognized. He also received the most prestigious award of his career, The Order of Canada. Richard has received the Golden Jubilee Medal and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria. This prestigious award has a special meaning to Richard because his late father, Henry Hunt was awarded the same degree in 1983.
Richard Hunt’s Indian name is highly appropriate, considering his accomplishments. Gwe-la-yo-gwe-la-gya-les means “a man that travels around the world giving.” Through his art, and his dancing, Richard Hunt has indeed given much to the world.
On the right is a bear, on the Causeway in front of the Empress Hotel. The bear totem pole that is situated there was carved by the artist’s dad, Henry Hunt. “Dad was a great man and a great carver, and together with my mom, Helen, they had 14 children.”
On the left, is a killer whale and a thunderbird, which also represents the ivy killer whale at the north end of the Empress Hotel. The killer whale represents the spirits of our deceased family members, and it is the favourite food of the thunderbird.
The canoe at the bottom represents the boats in the Inner Harbour. “Our people travelled by canoe, and we still do today.” On board the canoe, is a wolf, an eagle and a man steering the canoe.
Finally, there is the raven dancing on the lawn of the Legislature.
All these figures belong to the Kwaguilth people of Fort Rupert, B.C.
Rachel grew up watching her grandfather, father, and uncle carving and painting. Although she has been immersed in Northwest Coast art all her life, she has more recently begun a formal career with her own art and imagery. She apprenticed with her father, Steve Smith, and she introduced her first pieces to the public in 2019.
Rachel takes inspiration from her passion for education and Indigenous rights and values, as well as her love of the natural world. Rachel enjoys weaving traditional Northwest Coast formline elements in with contemporary and minimalist aesthetics. She delights in the creative process and is guided by a desire to respectfully carry forward the tradition of art in her family while expressing herself and her stories through art.
Rachel has completed her Associate of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and is currently a student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a Bachelor of Education Degree in the Arts Based and Creativity cohort, with an Indigenous specialization in NITEP, the Indigenous Teacher Education Program in The Faculty of Education.
With each cycle, we look forward to the possibility of bright days ahead together
Drawing on the brightness of the sun and the joy of the young dancers, let’s swing and twirl and imagine another year full of delight!
Richard comes from a family of internationally respected artists, which include his father, Henry Hunt, and his grandfather, Mungo Martin. Richard Hunt received the Order of British Columbia. Richard is the first native artist to be recognized. He also received the most prestigious award of his career, The Order of Canada. Richard has received the Golden Jubilee Medal and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria. This prestigious award has a special meaning to Richard because his late father, Henry Hunt was awarded the same degree in 1983.
Richard Hunt’s Indian name is highly appropriate, considering his accomplishments. Gwe-la-yo-gwe-la-gya-les means “a man that travels around the world giving.” Through his art, and his dancing, Richard Hunt has indeed given much to the world.
On the right is a bear, on the Causeway in front of the Empress Hotel. The bear totem pole that is situated there was carved by the artist’s dad, Henry Hunt. “Dad was a great man and a great carver, and together with my mom, Helen, they had 14 children.”
On the left, is a killer whale and a thunderbird, which also represents the ivy killer whale at the north end of the Empress Hotel. The killer whale represents the spirits of our deceased family members, and it is the favourite food of the thunderbird.
The canoe at the bottom represents the boats in the Inner Harbour. “Our people travelled by canoe, and we still do today.” On board the canoe, is a wolf, an eagle and a man steering the canoe.
Finally, there is the raven dancing on the lawn of the Legislature.
All these figures belong to the Kwaguilth people of Fort Rupert, B.C.
Rachel grew up watching her grandfather, father, and uncle carving and painting. Although she has been immersed in Northwest Coast art all her life, she has more recently begun a formal career with her own art and imagery. She apprenticed with her father, Steve Smith, and she introduced her first pieces to the public in 2019.
Rachel takes inspiration from her passion for education and Indigenous rights and values, as well as her love of the natural world. Rachel enjoys weaving traditional Northwest Coast formline elements in with contemporary and minimalist aesthetics. She delights in the creative process and is guided by a desire to respectfully carry forward the tradition of art in her family while expressing herself and her stories through art.
Rachel has completed her Associate of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and is currently a student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a Bachelor of Education Degree in the Arts Based and Creativity cohort, with an Indigenous specialization in NITEP, the Indigenous Teacher Education Program in The Faculty of Education.
(Kwakwaka'wakw, Oweekeno)
With each cycle, we look forward to the possibility of bright days ahead together
Drawing on the brightness of the sun and the joy of the young dancers, let’s swing and twirl and imagine another year full of delight!
(Non-profit Youth Arts Organization)
(Non-profit Youth Arts Organization)
(Non-profit Youth Arts Organization)
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