Trevor Hunt large panel

Kwakwaka'wakw artist Trevor Hunt was born on March 9, 1975. His given Kwakiutl name is "T'łalis" which translated into "a pod of killer whales swimming toward a village".

As a young artist at the age of 13, Trevor began to sell his original paintings in Victoria, B.C.

Photo courtesy of Zac Whyte

After learning the traditional form lines, he began to carve Kwakwaka'wakw art alongside his Father Stanley Clifford Hunt, and cousins Tim Alfred, and David Knox. In 1993 he released his first set of prints in Montreal, and since then has released a new print every year, as well as many lines of T-shirts.

Trevor 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 art a unique touch.

Recently he, alongside his brother Jason, and cousins, Mervyn Child, and Calvin Hunt, carved a massive 52 ft totem pole that his father was commissioned to do, and went down to Buenos Aires, 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.

In 2023, Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery featured Trevors work in the exhibition "T'łalis – Pushing Boundaries"

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 he was asked to donate a drum design for the school in 2011, which they use as their new logo.

"Balancing a 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.” - Trevor Hunt