T'ŁALIS – Pushing Boundaries
An art exhibition and sale featuring Trevor Hunt
September 9th – December 30th, 2023
Opening Event: Saturday, September 9th, 11:00 am at Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery, 2926 Back Rd, Courtenay, BC
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 September 9th to December 30th, 2023, with an Opening Ceremony on Saturday September 9th at 11:00am.
This exhibition and sale will showcase Trevor 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 Trevor. “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.”
Trevor Hunt is part of the Kwakiutl Nation in the village of T’sakis (or Fort Rupert, BC) on Northeastern Vancouver Island. A small community of about 300 members, this village has been teeming with culture and art for thousands of years. Trevor 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 Trevor’s father, Stan Hunt, his grandfather, Henry Hunt, and his great-grandfather, Mungo Martin, one of the most influencial *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.
Photo courtesy of Zac Whyte
“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.”
Please join us on Saturday September 9th, 2023 at 11:00 am for the opening celebrations at 2926 Back Road, Courtenay, BC, or by Facebook live stream. Trevor Hunt will be on-site until 3:00 pm.
T’ŁALIS – Pushing Boundaries, will be open for public viewing in physical and virtual format from September 9th to December 30th, 2023. 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.
Tips to navigate our virtual gallery:
