Sea Wolf Transformation Mask by George Hunt Jr., Kwakwaka'wakw

Sea Wolf Transformation Mask, 1994by George Hunt Jr., Kwakwaka'wakw First Nationred cedar, wolf ruff, horse hair, operculum shell (teeth), fossil ivory (fangs), pigment 36" high x 39" wide x 30" deep Kwakwaka’wakw First nation artist George Hunt Jr. was born on April 30, 1958 in Campbell River, British Columbia. His Kwakwaka’wakw name “Nas-u-niz” means Light Beyond the World, and he carries the traditional chief’s name Nagedzi-Yathlawalth, passed down from his grandfather Chief Tommy Hunt, to his father, Chief George Hunt Sr., and now to him. Hunt’s family lineage descends from the village of Fort Rupert on Vancouver Island. George comes from a rich artistic heritage which including master carver Mungo Martin (step great grandfather), Henry Hunt (grand uncle) and Tony Hunt Sr. (uncle). George began carving at the age of fourteen under the tutelage of his father, Chief George Hunt Sr. (Yalawa-Negegdz). After learning the basics of knife techniques, and some of the forms that make up Kwa