Half Moon & Whole Moon Masks by Tony Hunt Jr. (1961-2017), Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation

Half Moon & Whole Moon Masks, 1995by Tony Hunt Jr. (1961-2017), Kwakwaka'wakw First NationRed cedar, pigment21” high x 10” wide x 9” deep (Half Moon)21” high x 10” wide x 7” deep (Whole Moon) In Kwakwaka’wakw tradition, the Full Moon and Half Moon are seen to battle for the right to show themselves at night. In one particular dance, the Full Moon and the Half Moon come out on the dance floor making noise and pointing to the moon shape above their respective masks.  The singers, realizing that Half Moon and Whole Moon are fighting over who should show themselves that night suggest they have a dance contest. Whole moon is an elegant elder, dancing with grace and beauty. Half Moon is the young upstart, dancing with crazy ostentatious moves, pandering to the audience, and doing their best to thwart whole moon at every turn. After a hilarious bought of dancing, the winner is declared by the assembled guests, and can journey across the sky that evening.  Tony Hunt Jr.(1961-2017), a Kwagu