Artist Statement: Stephen Hunt, Shawn Karpes, Michael Gregson and Linda-Mae Ross have collaborated on this orginal interpretation of a Kwakwaka'wakw scene of three peopled canoes which was inspired by Edward Curtis's film, "In the Land of the Warriors". This film, produced in Alert Bay in 1914, was itself a collaboration between the well renowned American photographer Edward Curtis and George Hunt of Fort Rupert from whom descend the current generations of Hunt carvers.

Stephen Hunt (Kwakwaka'wakw) carved the canoes of red cedar and painted the motif of Eagle, the main crest of the Hunt family, on one; Killerwhale and Sisiutl are on the others. He also carved and painted wave design on the miniature paddles of yellow cedar.

Shawn Karpes (Kwakwaka'wakw Namgis) also a great great grandson of George Hunt, carved and painted the miniature Bear, Wasp and Thunderbird masks of yellow cedar.

Michael Gregson and Linda-Mae Ross (non-Native artists) developed the concept, oversaw the project, and created the Kwakwaka'wakw figures which are of polymere clay and acrylic paint.

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