• Artist:
• Eugene Hunt

• Edition Size:
• 200 signed and numbered

• Paper Size:
• 51 x 52 cm, 20 x 20.5 inches

Thunderbird and Killer Whale is a limited edition screen print by Eugene Hunt.

In the traditions of the Kwakwakaʼwakw and other coastal peoples, the Thunderbird and the Killer Whale hold immense power. Each lives in its own world—the Thunderbird in the sky, and the Killer Whale in the sea—but their stories intertwine in ways that speak to strength, respect, and the balance of forces that shape life on the Northwest Coast.

The Thunderbird is a mighty, supernatural being whose wings create thunder and whose eyes flash lightning. It rules the skies and hunts the Killer Whale, lifting it from the ocean with its powerful talons. This act symbolizes the meeting of two great realms—the air and the sea, the spirit and the physical. Their struggle is not just a battle; it is a sacred balance between worlds, reminding people that power carries responsibility and that all life is connected through the cycles of nature.

Among some Kwakwakaʼwakw families, the Thunderbird and Killer Whale serve as crest figures, representing lineage, identity, and inherited rights. The Thunderbird often symbolizes protection, transformation, and strength, while the Killer Whale represents family, unity, and deep spiritual connection. When they appear together in carvings, totem poles, or dances, they tell a story of harmony between opposing forces—storm and calm, sky and water, strength and compassion.

Their relationship teaches that creation depends on balance: the Thunderbird’s thunder awakens the world, while the Killer Whale’s song keeps it alive beneath the waves. Together, they remind us that true power lies not in dominance, but in respect, relationship, and the harmony of all beings.

This limited edition silk screen print titled "Thunderbird and Killer Whale" by Eugene Hunt was hand produced by the screen printing process. It is the only limited edition printing of this design. The artist has inspected and signed each copy in the edition. The printer has destroyed all trial copies and obliterated the printing stencils.