Four beloved and iconic totem poles will be going through a restoration process this summer, thanks to the efforts of an up-and-coming carver and artist.
The four totems are located in downtown Victoria’s Nootka Court, and have been there since they were carved in the 1970s by renowned Kwagulth artist Tony Hunt Sr.
The artist who will be handling the totems’ restoration is Jason Henry Hunt, who comes from a long lineage of respected and influential artists.
For this project, Jason will be collaborating with his uncle, master artist Richard Hunt.
“Visitors to Eagle Feather Gallery and Nootka Court this summer will have the privilege to witness the various stages of this restoration process as it unfolds,” wrote a gallery spokesperson in a media release.
Jason will have his work cut out for him on this project, as he will have to wash, repair and repaint the poles with the utmost care and attention to detail. Throughout the process he will have to ensure the totems will remain in excellent condition for many years to come.
“Every totem begins as a seed, and these four poles continue as a tangible source of vitality and life—their living roots are as deep as the first forests,” they continued.
Jason Henry Hunt is a descendent of Chief Mungo Martin (Nakapankam), who lived from 1879 to 1962.
Chief Martin is Jason’s great-grandfather, and is one of the most influential figures in the resurgence of Pacific Northwest Coastal Indigenous art.
Chief Martin’s most prominent work is noted as the ceremonial longhouse in Thunderbird Park, which was commissioned by the Royal BC Museum in 1953.
Nootka Court and the Eagle Feather Gallery invite any and all who are interested in seeing the restoration work underway to come by and see it for themselves.
Restoration work is slated to begin on Monday, June 30th.
