Richard Hunt
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ON THE WEB | www.richardhunt.com
Richard Hunt was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia in 1951. Richard is Kwakiutl and is from T’sakis (Fort Rupert, BC). Richard Hunt's Kwakwala name is highly appropriate, considering his accomplishments. Gwe-la-yo-gwe-la-gya-lis means “A man that travels and wherever he goes, he potlatches." Through his art, his speaking and his dancing, Mr. Hunt has indeed given much to the world.
Richard’s mother was Helen Hunt (1). Richard comes from a family of internationally respected artists, which include his father Henry Hunt, his grandfather Mungo Martin, as well as his brothers, and his cousins (2). He has lived most of his life in Victoria, where he completed his high school education. He began carving with his father, the late Henry Hunt, at the age of thirteen.
In 1973, Richard began work at the Royal British Columbia Museum as an apprentice carver under his father. The following year he assumed the duties of chief carver in the Thunderbird Park Carving Program. Richard continued in this role for twelve years. In 1986, Mr. Hunt resigned to begin a new career as a freelance artist.
“I was thirteen," Richard says, "when I decided that I wanted to be a carver. My brothers and I had gone berry-picking in Saanich to make money. I dreamt of berries all that night, and woke up the next morning knowing that I wanted to be a carver like my dad. My mother told me to go and learn from my father, and that's how I started, making little paddles and masks. It was a hobby that turned into a way of making an income through my school years. The more I carved, the more I realised that what I was carving came from my culture. That is why I believe that what I create is cultural art.
I would like to thank the Royal British Columbia Museum and Peter Macnair who gave me the opportunity of working with my father, which was my dream come true. Since leaving the Museum, I've had a great time creating things that I love. What a way to go through life, doing something that you love and own.”
In 1991, Richard Hunt received the Order of British Columbia “… In recognition of serving with the greatest distinction and excellence in a field of endeavor benefiting the people of the Province of British Columbia and elsewhere.” This prominent award program was established in 1990. Richard is the first Native artist to be so recognized.
In 1994, Richard received the most prestigious award of his career, The Order of Canada. “The Order was established in 1967 as a means of recognizing outstanding achievement, honouring those who have given services to Canada, to their fellow citizens or to humanity at large."
In 2002, Richard received the Golden Jubilee Medal, the approved creation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in honour of her 50th anniversary of Her accession to the Throne, and presented to citizens of Canada "who have demonstrated exceptional qualities and outstanding service to their country".
In May 2004, Richard was accepted into the membership of the Royal Academy of the Arts in recognition for his outstanding achievements within the visual arts.
In June 2004, Richard received an Honourary Doctorate 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. More information about Richard can be found at www.richardhunt.com.
1 Helen’s maiden name was Nelson, and she was from Kingcome.