Tony Hunt Serigraph "Baptism Mural" #363/400

Exceptional work of art, by Kwakwaka'wakw Chief, sculptor, and artist, Tony Hunt Sr. (1942-2017). Dated 1976. Colour silkscreen on paper, signed, and editioned (#363/400). Entitled: "Baptism Mural". This highly symbolic piece was commissioned by The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1975. John the Baptist is depicted as a shaman, wearing a chilkat cloak, and he holds a Raven rattle which signifies his status among other chiefs. On the cloak is depicted a sisiutl, a mythical being with a head at each end of its body, and a head in the middle of its torso. Also shown on the cloak is a ceremonial cedar chest of the type used by the shaman to store his regalia. Christ is shown as a young chief wearing red cedar bark regalia, kneeling at the feet of John. A dove is shown coming down from heaven as a Thunderbird in its half-human and half-mythical form. The Thunderbird is all-powerful and is associated with the creation myth. In Northwest Coast culture, chiefs are chosen based on their power and prestige. They are responsible for providing for the people in their lineage—for distributing wealth among them. Here Jesus is being installed as chief by the village shaman (John the Baptist), indicating his high rank, and suggesting his commitment to lead and preserve his people. A fitting contextualization of Christ’s baptism, which is traditionally understood to be his public inauguration into the ministry. Notice the Trinity of Father (Sun), Son (Chief), and Holy Spirit (Thunderbird). The Father beams down on his only begotten, in whom he is well pleased, and the Spirit hovers over the scene—not as a dove, but as the mighty Thunderbird of Kwakwaka’wakw myth. These spiritual presences are called down by John, who raises his ceremonial rattle (instead of the scallop shell typical in Western art) and shakes it as he sings. Hunt is not a Christian but said (in his artist’s statement) that he was happy to carry out this commission, because he wanted to show that spiritual harmony can exist between people of diverse cultural traditions and religions. The serigraph appears to be in excellent condition (I have never removed it from it's frame), and the frame is in good condition as well. It measures 19 1/4 x 29 1/4 inches (including frame). The visible image measures 13 1/2 x 22 3/4. View or pick up in Glenbrook, SW