John Hunt - Vermont Abenaki Artists Association

Enrolled Citizen of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation

Juried Artist since 2016

John Hunt grew up in the farm country of Vermont. When he was young, his father would tell him about his native heritage and about how their ancestors had lived. John enjoyed imaging how it was long, long ago as well as how his grandfathers lived more recently. He saw how life used to be made up of your own two hands. Whether it was tools needed for farming or hunting or things you would need around the house like bowls and baskets it all had to be made by someone’s skilled hands.

This inspired John to have a relationship to life like his family had always had. To know how to make what he needed from the land around him. When he looked back at many of the tools of our ancestors, he saw they were created not only to be functional but beautiful as well. He was inspired by that way of being and has chosen to live his life in that way. Though he has tried and practiced many art forms, he has focused most on carving, basketry, and pyrography.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I have been creating art since I was a child, but since the age of 18, it has become a very strong focus in my life. Though I have never had one primary teacher, I have learned through many people over the years as well as through my own personal practice.

Carving: For my carving, I use many types of wood. For kitchen utensils, I like to use a hardwood like black walnut,

Image of gourd bowls with corn. — _{Picture courtesy of Diane Stevens. Gourd bowls with corn.}

black cherry, apple, maple, etc. and for more figure/ sculpture carving I use soft woods like white pine or cedar.

Basketmaking: My family members were basket makers that sold their wares around northern VT. However, there is no longer anyone in my direct family practicing this art, so I have sought out many different teachers over the years. Though I haven’t formally studied with anyone, I have spent time with many different basket makers around Vermont. I primarily make bark and willow baskets. For the willow, I gather from a few locations by my home that grows nice long rods, and I tend these patches. For my bark baskets, I prefer pine, and I keep my eye out for trees that have fallen over during the winter and peel their bark in the spring.

To create my art, I use modern hand tools. However, I gather all of my materials from the natural world. My art is an expressive outlet for me and a connection to my ancestors. I really enjoy making things that have a function as a spoon but going beyond function and giving it a unique beauty. I find inspiration for my crafts in nature around me. I try to have my crafts showcase and lead to the innate majesty of the plants, animals, and elements.

Pyrography: Over the last several years, I have studied traditional Wabanaki designs and the images I see in nature. From these studies, I create my designs. I grow the gourds that I use and gather soft woods for my pyrography.

Image of spruce and bark baskets. — _{Spruce and bark baskets. Picture courtesy of Diane Stevens.}

Image of cranberry and skunk bean necklace — _{Handmade true Vermont cranberry and skunk bean necklace. Picture courtesy of Diane Stevens.}

Image of handmade wooden spoons. — _{Handmade wooden spoons. Picture courtesy of Diane Stevens.}

Contact Info

Email: [email protected]

MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS

Currently
Part of the permanent collection of Abenaki Cultural items at the Burlington International Airport, Vermont.

2017
Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage. Traveling Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

AFFILIATIONS

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association