Artist Photo – Richard Hunt
Richard Hunt was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia in 1951 but has lived most of his life in Victoria. 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 and the following year assumed the duties of chief carver in the Thunderbird Park Carving Program. In 1986, Richard Hunt resigned from the Royal British Columbia Museum to begin a new career as a freelance artist. He comes from a family of internationally respected artists, which include his father Henry Hunt and family friend Mungo Martin.
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 prestigious 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, honoring those who have given services to Canada, to their fellow citizens or to humanity at large.”
In 2004, Richard was accepted into the membership of the Royal Academy of the Arts in recognition for his outstanding achievements within the visual arts. That same year, Richard received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria. This prestigious award has a special meaning for Richard because his late father, Henry Hunt was awarded the same degree in 1983.
In 2009, Richard received the BC Creative Achievement Award for Aboriginal Art. “By interpreting what they see, what they experience and their great cultural traditions, these artists provide a gift to all British Columbians through their artwork,” said Premier Gordon Campbell.
In 2012, Richard received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne, and is presented to citizens of Canada “who have demonstrated exceptional qualities and outstanding service to their country”.
In May 2014, Richard was inducted into Victoria High School’s “Wall of Fame”.
In March 2015, the Royal Canadian Mint releases a third coin with Richard Hunt design. The first, “the Welcoming” followed by “Two Loons” and recently, “Mother Feeding Baby”.
April 2015, the Victoria TC 10K road race chooses Richard Hunt’s design, “Dancing Heron” as their race logo.
Richard Hunt’s Indian 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, Richard Hunt has indeed given much to the world.
