Steering Paddle: Sea Wolf with Kolus, Kumakwa, and Eagle by Trevor Hunt, Kwakwaka’wakw Quintana Galleries

Steering Paddle: Sea Wolf with Kolus, Kumakwa, and Eagle
by Trevor Hunt, Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation
yellow cedar, pigment
85″ high x 7.5″ wide x 1.5″ deep

Sea Wolf is a mythological being from the undersea world with the head and tail of Wolf and the dorsal fin and blowhole of Killer Whale. Sea Wolf hunts Killer Whale to feed his family, and is a spirit guide to fisherman. Sea Wolf has the ability to move both in water and on land.

Kolus is a young Thunderbird, sometimes referred to as the younger brother or sister of Thunderbird. Like the Thunderbird, the Kolus has the ability to transform into a human. When overheated, the Kolus removes his down to become temporarily human. A highly respected symbol, Kolus is known as a protector spirit. In many origin stories, a Kolus flew down from heaven and shed his coat, transforming into a human and becoming the founding ancestor of the tribe or clan.

Kumakwa (Kumugwe) is a figure in mythology Known as “Copper-Maker.” He is the god of the undersea world revered by theKwakwaka’wakw and Nuxalk First Nations. Kumakwa has a house under the sea filled with riches and his name means “Wealthy One.”  

Eagle is known as “The master of skies” and is a symbol of great significance. He is believed to be the creature with the closest relationship with the creator. Soaring to great heights, he can travel between the physical and the spiritual world. He is said to be a messenger to the creator. Eagle as a whole signifies focus, strength, peace, leadership, and ultimate prestige.

As a promising young artist at the age of 13, Trevor Hunt painstakingly learned the art of traditional form line design from his father, Stanley Clifford Hunt, and cousins, Tim Alfred and David Knox. Soon after, he began to sell his original paintings in Victoria, BC. Deciding he had mastered the art of painting and drawing, Trevor began to learn to carve.

Trevor prides himself on carving in the traditional form, while using his own style, which gives his work a unique interpretation and highly professional touch.

In 2010, in collaboration with his father, brother Jason, and cousins, Mervyn Child and Calvin Hunt, Trevor carved a massive 52ft totem pole his father was commissioned to undertake. This prestigious totem pole is now the center piece of Canada Square in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Trevor has traveled widely across North America undertaking art exhibitions and performing carving demonstrations. Destinations have included Friday Harbor and Seattle, Washington and Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. He regularly receives commissions for his work including European customers in Belgium and the United Kingdom.

Teaching the youth to carve and passing on his knowledge is very important to Trevor, so he takes time out to teach the children at the Wagulis School in Fort Rupert, as well as Fort Rupert Elementary. In 2011, he was asked to donate a drum design , which the school  has adopted  as their new logo.

Balancing life between his wife, four children, and his carving profession, has proved a great way for Trevor to spend his time, as it has been all about doing things that he loves and are close to his heart.