George Hunt Jr – Kwakwaka’wakw Artist
Name:
George Hunt Jr (1958 – )
Gender:
Male
Style:
Kwakwaka’wakw
Region:
Pacific Northwest Coast, Canada
George’s Native name is Nas-u-niz, meaning “Light Beyond the World.” George learned how to carve from his father, George Hunt Sr. His step-Great-Grandfather was the famous Kwakwaka’wakw carver, Mungo Martin. George is an accomplished artist, and is also a well-known and respected traditional dancer amongst the Tlingit, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Mawachaht Nations. George was initiated into the Hamatsa Society and began learning the inherited dance steps at the age of sixteen by his paternal grandfather, Chief Thomas Hunt. For the next few years he tried to learn as much about his people’s culture as he could. George apprenticed with Tony Hunt, John Livingston, Calvin Hunt, and Sam Henderson, and has been carving since 1972. As well as being an accomplished dancer George creates original Kwa-guilth works of art with several types of media. His acrylic paintings on paper and canvas, limited edition serigraphs, carvings in wood and precious metals, traditional dance costumes and original drum designs adorn collections around the world.
