Richard Hunt: One of the Northwest Coast’s Most Celebrated Artists

Richard Hunt: One of the Northwest Coast’s Most Celebrated Artists

Richard Hunt is one of Canada’s most celebrated Northwest Coast artists. He was born in 1951 in Alert Bay, British Columbia, and comes from a long line of respected Kwakwaka’wakw artists and carvers. His family’s legacy helped keep Kwakwaka’wakw art alive, and it shaped his own path from an early age.

He began carving with his father, the late Henry Hunt, when he was 13. A year later, Richard started an apprenticeship with Henry at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. In 1974, he became chief carver for the Thunderbird Park carving program—a role once held by his grandfather, Mungo Martin. Over the next 12 years, he carved in public view, demonstrated traditional techniques, and shared his culture with visitors.

In 1986, Richard began working as a freelance Indigenous artist. This shift brought even more attention to his work. Soon after, he received major honours: the Order of British Columbia in 1991 and the Order of Canada in 1994.

Richard’s career has taken him around the world. He carved a 30‑foot totem pole for a private collector in Los Angeles and lectured at the Smithsonian Institution. In Victoria, he designed the bronze medal for the 1994 Commonwealth Games and helped carve the Queen’s Baton with artists Art Thompson and Charles Elliott. Their collaboration united three Vancouver Island First Nations in a powerful cultural statement.

In 2012, the Royal Canadian Mint featured his Kwaguilth design Two Loons on a silver coin marking the 25th anniversary of the loonie. The Mint had previously used one of his welcome figure designs in 2005.

His Kwakwaka’wakw name, Gwe‑la‑yo‑gwe‑la‑gya‑lis, means “a man that travels and wherever he goes, he potlatches.” Through his art, speaking, and dancing, he continues to share his culture widely.