Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery is thrilled to present T’ŁALIS – Pushing Boundaries, an art exhibition and sale featuring carvings by contemporary Indigenous artist Trevor Hunt (given name “T’łalis” translating to a pod of Killer Whales swimming towards a village) of the Kwakiutl Nation.
The exhibition will run from Sept. 9 to Dec. 30, 2023, with an opening ceremony on Sept. 9 at 11 a.m.
This exhibition and sale will showcase Hunt’s innovative methods for approaching traditional Northwest Coast designs and motifs through a contemporary lens while retaining a deep respect and recognition for the artistic and cultural traditions of his people.
Through the incorporation of non-traditional colours, designs, mediums, and techniques, Trevor’s work pushes the boundaries of the Kwakiutl art form into the future.
Expect to see one-of-a-kind masterpieces, including a monumental steering paddle, dramatic masks, bold panels and paddles, spirited metalwork, as well as a complex and exquisite Orca Moon Mask. Each piece is rooted in tradition but with a contemporary flare.
“I enjoy pushing myself on each piece, to be constantly changing and evolving,” says Hunt. “I’ve never made the same mask twice. Every piece is unique to its own, and every piece to me has a part of me in it, made with time, dedication, love and patience.”
Hunt is part of the Kwakiutl Nation in the village of T’sakis (or Fort Rupert) on northeastern Vancouver Island. A small community of about 300 members, this village has been teeming with culture and art for thousands of years.
He is part of the Hunt Family, one of the most recognized families of the Northwest Coast, with generations of internationally acclaimed artists and carvers including Hunt’s father, Stan, his grandfather, Henry, and his great-grandfather, Mungo Martin, one of the most influential Kwakwaka’wakw members in recent history.
Kwakiutl artists have always been considered among the most innovative of the Northwest Coast, implementing the principles of traditional formline design with a less confining, more individualistic and theatrical approach towards form, colour, expression and storytelling.
“We have been working together with Trevor for close to 15 years and I am always surprised by the innovative approaches Trevor has come up with,” says gallery co-owner Walter Stolting.
“His bold use of colours and his impeccable design, carving and finishing skills have made every piece we purchased from him, a perfectly executed one-of-a-kind beautiful piece of artwork. It doesn’t matter if it’s a piece for $400 or over $10,000, his unwavering drive for excellence has always come through. To top it off he has a very humble approach towards customized wishes, making nearly everything possible, as long as it is in harmony with his drive for excellence and artistic principles.”
Join us for the opening celebrations at 2926 Back Road, Courtenay or by Facebook live stream at @spiritsofthewestcoast. Hunt will be on-site until 3 p.m.
Admission to the gallery is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for our ‘Small Acts, Big Impacts’ food bank drive and fundraiser. Every donor will be entered into a draw for a gift bag valued at $250.
