Tom Hunt (b. 1964), son of Chief George Hunt and Mary Hunt (née Henderson), has been carving since the age of twelve. Although initially inspired, influenced, and instructed by his father, George Hunt, Tom has been taught by his uncle,
Calvin Hunt, and
John Livingston. While versatile in other media, Tom Hunt prefers woodcarving. In keeping with the family tradition, Tom’s talent is given particularly full expression in the carving of totem poles.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND COMMISSIONS
1984 Assisted
Calvin Hunt in the carving of a 31-ft. pole for the Museum of the American India, Manhattan, NY. (sponsored by IBM)
1987 Assisted Calving Hunt and
John Livingston in carving a 25-ft. Dsonoqua feast dish and accompanying ladles, spoons and lidded bowls.
Assisted
Calvin Hunt in carving a 60-ft. Hunt pole in memory of Chief Thomas Hunt.
Carved 15-ft. grave figure for Chief Thomas Hunt.
1987 Assisted Calvin Hunt in carving 17-ft. memorial pole for Chief Andy Frank.
1988 Museum of Civilization, Hull, Québec; commission of a raven transformation outfit for the National Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Campbell River Museum, Campbell River, BC, assisted Calvin Hunt in the creation of a Sea Eagle outfit.
Tokyo, Japan; Tokyo Land Corporation commissioned three Kwakwaka'wakw poles (15-ft., 20-ft., 25-ft.). Tom Hunt assisted Calving Hunt. These poles were raised in Asumigaoka Park.
1989 Campbell River, BC. Campbell River Museum Pugwis
Portland Museum, Portland, Oregon. Tookwit dance screen.
1990 Port Hardy, BC. Assisted Calvin Hunt in the restoration of 25-ft. Willie Seaweed Pole.
1991 Cleveland, Ohio. Assisted
John Livingston in the creation of a Raven transformation mask commissioned by the National Tourism Association.
1992 Tokyo, Japan. Assisted Calvin Hunt in the carving of a Sea Bear and Whale Totem, commissioned by the Canadian Brewing Company.
1993 Fort Rupert, BC. Assisted Calvin Hunt and Mervin Child in the carving of a 32-ft. canoe, Makwalogawa (to give) in honour of Emma Hunt, wife of the late Chief Thomas Hunt.
1996 Rivers Inlet, BC. Johnson Memorial Totem Pole.
1997 Port Hardy, BC. 50-ft. Memorial pole for Gwa'sala and Nakwaxda'xw.
Toronto, Ont. 13-ft. Thunderbird and D’sonoqua pole for Northern Telecom.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
1987 The Hunt Family Heritage, Legacy Gallery, Seattle, WA.
1992 The Coppermaker, Legacy Gallery, Seattle, WA.
1993 Echoes of Chiefly Feasts: Masterworks from Eleven Members of the Hunt Family, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC.
Tribal Miniatures '93, first annual exhibition, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC.
1994 Tribal Miniatures: Gems of the Northwest Coast, annual exhibition, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC
Life of the Copper: A Commonwealth of Tribal Nations, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC.
Carving demonstration with John Livingston, Pegasus Gallery, Saltspring Island, BC.
1994 Living Heritage: Tom Hunt Solo exhibition, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC.
1995 Native American Traditions / Contemporary Responses, The Society for Contemporary Crafts, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1996 Two-Man Show: Tom Hunt and John Livingston, Pegasus Gallery, Saltspring Island, BC.
Spirits of Forest, Sea and Sky: Masks by Mastercarvers of the Northwest Coast, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC
Family Crest Pole for Totem Pole Exhibition, Legacy Gallery, Seattle, WA.
Bird from Here and There, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC.
1997 Evolving Traditions: Hunt Family Group Show, Pegasus Gallery, Saltspring Island, BC.
