Shawn Hunt is a Vancouver-based artist of Heiltsuk, French, and Scottish descent. He completed a diploma in studio art from Capilano College and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia, majoring in sculpture and drawing. Hunt apprenticed with his father, Heiltsuk artist Bradley Hunt, from whom he learned wood and jewelry carving. Hunt also apprenticed with Coast Salish painter Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun from 2012 to 2015. Hunt creates abstract, surreal, and sculptural artwork based on Heiltsuk Cosmology that often references contemporary Indigenous life. Hunt combines his knowledge of traditional design and motifs to question issues of subversion, preconception, and fluid meanings. Hunt is represented by Equinox Gallery in Vancouver. Shawn Hunt’s The Philosopher uses free floating elements of Northwest Coast formline design as well as characters from clan crests and Heiltsuk mythology to create a sculptural assemblage. He is influenced by Cubism and the work of Pablo Picasso, who in turn was influenced by Northwest Coast design. In The Philosopher, an eagle and raven make up the majority of the face, while the form of a frog creates the ear. Hunt uses bold colours, an off-centre composition, and a stark white background to pull focus towards the one central figure. Hunt pushes these elements together to create a portrait from the spirit world.
Value $16,000 Donated by the Artist, courtesy of Equinox Gallery Lot #17
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AUDAIN ART MUSEUM
The Philosopher 2022, acrylic on canvas On verso signed and dated 48 x 36 in, 121.9 x 36 cm
LIVE AUCTION
SHAW N HUNT