Gene Brabant

Cree Nation

Gene Brabant was born in 1946 in Victoria, British Columbia, where his family settled in the community of James Bay.

Brabant started his first apprenticeship at the age of twenty-three under the direction of Tony, Stan and Richard Hunt. The prominent Hunt family played a major role in Brabant’s training in the art of carving and the family studio grew to be the Art of the Raven Gallery. Gene also carved with John Livingston, who at the time was the gallery’s manager, as well as John Hunt. Although Brabant is trained in the Kwakwaka’wakw style he often works in the Nuxalk or Bella Coola style.

Gene’s work is often highly influenced by historic masterworks of which he studies and interprets into his own style. Known for his expressive masks and vibrancy of painting, Brabant also acknowledges the influence of great master artist, Willie Seaweed, as well as his own training as a sign painter in his early career.

Gene’s work is always executed with absolute precision, both in design and finish. His carvings exude a poise and balance; a characteristic admired amongst his peers.

Brabant’s carvings and painted works can be found in private collections around the world, as well as in permanent collections including the Royal Museum of British Columbia, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Museum of Man in Ottawa.