Corrine Hunt
Kwakwaka’wakw / Tlingit Nations
Corrine Hunt is a member of the Raven Gwa’wina clan from Ts’akis, a Komoyue village on Vancouver Island. Her rich family history includes internationally renowned First Nations artists George Hunt, Henry Hunt, Richard Hunt and Tony Hunt, all of whom have been influential on her art. Uncle Norman Brotchie was also a significant teacher and mentor, introducing Corrine to Kwakwaka’wakw traditions and the art of jewelry-making.
Born in Alert Bay in 1959, Corrine’s paternal grandmother A’neesla’ga,’ a Tlingit noblewoman from Alaska, gave her the name ‘Killer Whale Scratching Her Back on the Beach’ in 1965. Since 1985 she has been creating contemporary art that reflects the themes and traditions of her First Nations Komoyue and Tlingit heritage.
Corrine’s work includes engraved gold and silver jewelry and accessories, sculptural installations such as totem poles, and custom furnishings in carved stainless steel and reclaimed wood, executed in a distinctively contemporary style all of her own. Working with the concept of living culture, Corrine is creating fine art objects that are both aesthetically pleasing and of practical use. She is interested in exploring unique ways to translate the traditions of her First Nations culture; “I want to show how both the First Nations people and the art have evolved,” she explains.
Corrine designed the logo for the World Peace Forum held in Vancouver, 2006. There were installations of her work at the Hilton Hotel, Whistler, and the Office for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
In 2009, she was a co-creator of the medals for the 2010 Olympic Games held in Vancouver. These featured her original designs of the Pacific Northwest Coast crest figures of the Killerwhale and Raven. Corrine’s artistic endeavours were recognized with the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 2011. As well as her prolific art practice, Corrine is focused on mentoring First Nations artists and other creative practitioners in this present day, and continues to be a forceful supporter of the creative arts in British Columbia.
Exhibitions:
2021 | Kapiguxw’id: Iklegans dudakwo | Gathering: It’s good to see you [again].
September 25 to October 29, 2021
As a contemporary Indigenous designer, Corrine Hunt presents an inspired collection of artistic visions and experiences arising from her travels far away and her hub at home in this multi-media exhibition. Read more details here.
Works by this Artist (Present + Past + Public)
Present Works
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Grandpa George, Numas
Corrine Hunt
CA$2,400.00Reclaimed Yellow Cedar wood, Acrylic paint, Copper [Engraved]
“Ethnology of the Kwakiutl, Based on Data Collected by George Hunt -Part I.” by Franz Boas
Grandpa George, Numas is a fascinating portrait piece that Corrine Hunt created in honour of her great-grandfather, George Hunt. Many of George Hunt’s most distinctive features are depicted on the piece – including, most notably, his full-bodied mustache and big blue eyes. Numas is Kwak’wala for “Old Man,” which is how the Hunt family affectionately refers to their former patriarch. He lived to be 79 years old, which was quite impressive for his time.
Corrine Hunt’s sculpture is carved from a half-round of reclaimed yellow cedar wood, which the artist has left partially untouched so as to retain the organic shape and look of the wood. The eye of the sculpture features a miniature copper shield with several Kwak’wala words engraved on the surface. These words are excerpts from Ethnology of the Kwakiutl, Based on Data Collected by George Hunt – Part I, which was edited by Franz Boas and contains extensive information regarding the lifestyle, culture, and customs of the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples and their communities. While the book that accompanies this piece was published in 2011, the original ethnological text was first featured in the Thirty-fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology in 1914.
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Wolf & Turtle Ring
Corrine Hunt
CA$3,600.0014K White Gold, 14K Rose Gold, Engraved
Band on Band, Wavy Edge Design
Width: 3/8″
Size: 12.75 -
Eagle Ring
Corrine Hunt
CA$2,400.0014K White Gold, 14K Rose Gold, Engraved
Band on Band, Wavy Edge Design
Width: 5/16″
Size: 5.75 -
Where Air Meets Water (Eagle & Killerwhale) Plate [Black Edition]
Corrine Hunt
CA$85.00 – CA$130.00Recycled Glass
Available in 12″ or 14″
The plate may be hung on the wall – the specific hole in the back is included for this purpose.
The concept for this design is based upon the physical depiction of air meeting water – a droplet of water which creates a swirl as the air affects its surface. The whorl shape created by this abstract notion has produced the forms of an Eagle on the left side of the design and a Killerwhale; its body elusively curving around the right side. Corrine has continued to play with the whirlpool concept by introducing echoing shapes and forms that reflect across the surface of the material and invite the viewer to explore the “water’s” surface.
Plexi-glass display stand not included.
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Where Air Meets Water (Eagle & Killerwhale) Plate [White Edition]
Corrine Hunt
CA$220.00Recycled Glass
Available in 14″ only
White Edition exclusive to Coastal Peoples Gallery
The concept for this design is based upon the physical depiction of air meeting water – a droplet of water which creates a swirl as the air affects its surface. The whorl-shape created by this abstract notion has produced the forms of an Eagle, on the left side of the design, and a Killerwhale; it’s body elusively curving around the right side. Corrine has continued to play with the whirlpool concept by introducing echoing shapes and forms that reflect across the surface of the material and invite the viewer to explore the “water’s” surface.
Plate may be hung on the wall – specific hole in the back included for this purpose.
Plexi-glass stand not included.
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Eagle & Salmon Ring
Corrine Hunt
CA$1,920.0014K Yellow Gold, 14K White Gold, Engraved
Band-on-Band
Width: 5/16″
Size: 7.75 -
Killerwhale Ring
Corrine Hunt
CA$1,920.0014K White Gold, 14K Yellow Gold, Engraved
Band-on-Band
Width: 5/16″
Size: 8.25
Past Works
The artist’s Past Works at our Gallery have now sold; however, a custom order may be possible if the artist is available and accepting commissions.