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Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery Showcase

BIO

Native Kwaguilth Artist Trevor Hunt was born on March 9, 1975. As a young artist at the age of 13, Trevor began to sell his original paintings, in Victoria, B.C. After learning the traditional form lines, he began to carve Kwakiutl art, from his Father Stanley Clifford Hunt, and cousins Tim Alfred, and David Knox. In 1993 he had his first set of prints, in Montreal, and since then has had a new print out every year, as well as many lines of T-shirts. He has designed many logos, for businesses, on Vancouver Island, and has carved over twenty-five poles, including one that stands in the Port Hardy Arena. Trevor prides himself on carving in the traditional form while using his own style, which gives his style a unique touch. Recently, he, among his brother Jason, and cousins, Mervin Child, and Calvin Hunt, carved a massive 52 ft totem pole that his father was commissioned to do, and went down to Argentina, in Canada Square. To date, he has traveled to Friday Harbour, Washington State, Phoenix Arizona, Tucson Arizona, Seattle, and Vancouver, for art shows, and carving demonstrations. Teaching the youth to carve is very important to Trevor, so he takes time out to teach the children, of Wagulis School in Fort Rupert, as well as Fort Rupert Elementary, where in 2011 he was asked to donate a drum design for the school, which they now use as their new logo. “Balancing his wife and four children, as well as carving is a great way to spend your days, as it’s all about doing things that you love.” - Quoted from Trevor Hunt Rod Smith, born in Vancouver BC in 1966, is a Wuikineuxv (Oweekeno) and Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River) artist residing on Vancouver Island with his wife Janice. He was trained by his father, the late Harris Smith- (Lalkawilas) Chief, who feasts his people until the morning. Rod signs his work; Thaelkualis – He who feasts the people from morning until next morning. He often works in basswood, red and yellow cedar, arbutus, maple and canvas. Rod is perhaps best known for his precise and elegant painting style. His pieces include sculptures, masks, poles, original paintings, plates, vessels, bowls, and bentwood boxes. In 2002, Rod completed an 8-foot pole in collaboration with his father and his brother, artist Steve Smith. In 2005, Rod was featured in the Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation 2 exhibition that opened at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, NY. In 2013, Rod was featured with his brother in an exhibition titled Collaboration & Contrast at Lattimer Gallery. In 2019, Rod was selected by the BC Law Society to design their annual awards. Rod continues to explore contemporary NorthWest Coast motifs and designs and takes great joy in creating new and unique works. Bill (We L’aaxum Yout) Helin is a Tsimshian artist born Oct. 6 1960 in Prince Rupert, B.C. William Herbert spent his pre-teen years in the northern part of the west coast and commercial fished with his father Arthur (Hyemass) Helin until 1979, when a serious accident redirected his path into his native art career. Bill studied at the famous Ksan Indian Art School of B.C. where he learned traditional design, tool making, wood carving and jewelry engraving under Tsimshian Master Artists. In 1987 he studied at the Gemological Institute of America where he learned gemology and gem setting to enhance the beauty and uniqueness of his amazing story bracelets and wedding rings; with clients from around the globe. His jewelry has also traveled in space on the Shuttle Columbia STS-78 in ‘94. Bill has created 3 patch designs for NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. Other passions are acrylic painting, storybook writing and illustration. He also loves to share the stories and songs of his Tsimshian heritage and teach children the importance of culture. Joe Wilson is a Hak'wesagame & Kwakwaka'wakw artist born in 1966. He is the grandson of Chief Alvin Edgar Alfred. Joe began carving at age 21 after being exposed to the work of master carver Willie Seaweed. Joe is well known for his very detailed oriented wood carvings and his elaborate silver, copper and gold jewelry. Besides many others, Joe headed a large project in the Netherlands, the Dolfinarium Harderwijk. The project replicated a Kwakwaka'wakw village on the lagoon that incorporates the legend of the Undersea Kingdom. Russell Tate was born in 1966 in Port Alberni, British Columbia and is a member of the Ditidaht First Nation. The Ditidaht are one of 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations whose territories stretch for 300 km along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Russell began carving in 2004 after being inspired by Art Thompson and the artists featured on the television show Ravens and Eagles. He is largely self-taught and specializes in carving masks and paddles in a distinct Ditidaht style. Many of Russell'smasks are carved in an abstract fashion, often wedge-shaped or triangular in cross-section, with two angled planes of the face meeting in the center. This style of mask often features exaggerated eyes and sharply angled eyebrows which make them a vibrant stylistic counterpoint to the art forms of the Kwakwaka'wakw and Coast Salish. Sheryl Tate is a traditional cedar bark weaver & grass weaver living in Port Alberni, BC. She is from the Wolf Clan and is a member of the Ditidaht First Nation. Sheryl has been cedar bark weaving for many years, masterfully weaving cedar bark and grass into beautiful pieces of art including baskets, floats, rattles, hats & more. She comes from a long line of well-known weavers including her mother, Charlotte Carpenter, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mary McKay. She has spent many hours with her mother and together they harvest, cut, preserve and store their materials. Sheryl combines both contemporary and traditional methods in her weaving.

CRAFT

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