At the age of nine, his cousin, Joe Peters, introduced him to the North West Coast Native Art form. At age twelve, Sean was selected to enter a carving program led by George Hunt Jr. This knowledge further encouraged and influenced his abilities as an artist. Other influences on Sean's art include Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred, George Hunt Jr., Richard Hunt, Tony Hunt, and Calvin Hunt. Sean draws further inspiration from the works by the late Mungo Martin, Willi Seaweed, and Charlie James, luminaries in the world of Kwakwaka'wakw art who have inspired many other artists.
Sean's work
Sean and his brothers carry on the Northwest Coast skills in creating ocean going canoes from a single cedar log. The original inspiration was a canoe built in the 1880's and owned by great-grandparents Jonathan and Mary Whonnock. In 2002 Sean and his brothers completed their 42-foot long canoe. This canoe reproduces the elaborate carving and workmanship of the original canoe which is on display at the Thomas Burke Museum in Seattle, Washington.
The Whonnock family will use their present-day canoe to carry on traditional practices for gathering foods and materials and for travelling.
In 2004, the Whonnock family held a potlatch in memory of grand-parents Johnathan and Mary Whonnock. Sean and his family raised a 21 foot Totem pole in the historic burial ground overlooking the Alert Bay ocean front. Later, in 2005, Sean and his family raised a Memorial pole for grandfather Gideon Whonnock.
Sean actively participates in his culture by attending Potlatches and has recently been initiated into the Great Grizzly Bear Society. Sean and his family believe that it is very important to uphold their family names and privileges. As is the Kwakwaka'wakw culture, Sean continues to give back to his people and families by contributing specific masks and pieces for potlatches and ceremonies.
While Sean is an acknowledged carver of poles, he is best known for his exquisitely detailed and traditionally carved Chiefs' rattles. These ceremonial rattles are in many private collections worldwide. In addition to being beautiful art pieces, the rattles are completely functional and when used in traditional ceremonies the rattles resonate into every corner of the Big House.
Gilakas'la
Thank you
Sean and his brothers carry on the Northwest Coast skills in creating ocean going canoes from a single cedar log. The original inspiration was a canoe built in the 1880's and owned by great-grandparents Jonathan and Mary Whonnock. In 2002 Sean and his brothers completed their 42-foot long canoe. This canoe reproduces the elaborate carving and workmanship of the original canoe which is on display at the Thomas Burke Museum in Seattle, Washington.
The Whonnock family will use their present-day canoe to carry on traditional practices for gathering foods and materials and for travelling.
In 2004, the Whonnock family held a potlatch in memory of grand-parents Johnathan and Mary Whonnock. Sean and his family raised a 21 foot Totem pole in the historic burial ground overlooking the Alert Bay ocean front. Later, in 2005, Sean and his family raised a Memorial pole for grandfather Gideon Whonnock.
Sean actively participates in his culture by attending Potlatches and has recently been initiated into the Great Grizzly Bear Society. Sean and his family believe that it is very important to uphold their family names and privileges. As is the Kwakwaka'wakw culture, Sean continues to give back to his people and families by contributing specific masks and pieces for potlatches and ceremonies.
While Sean is an acknowledged carver of poles, he is best known for his exquisitely detailed and traditionally carved Chiefs' rattles. These ceremonial rattles are in many private collections worldwide. In addition to being beautiful art pieces, the rattles are completely functional and when used in traditional ceremonies the rattles resonate into every corner of the Big House.
Gilakas'la
Thank you
Sean has been carving and painting professionally since 1990. He is continuously refining and defining his own style. His love of the art is inspired by the Kwakwaka'wakw culture.
Sean's work is prized by private collectors, galleries, and museums. Sean also contributes his work to the community. In 1997, Sean and his brother Johnathan Henderson began planning a carved pole to be raised in Thunderbird Park at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. The two men began carving the pole in 1998 and in October 1999 they raised the pole, a ceremony marked by a traditional Feast that was widely attended. The carved pole represents symbol thanks to the Coast Salish people for sharing their lands with the Kwakwaka'wakw people of Northern Vancouver Island.
Sean's work is prized by private collectors, galleries, and museums. Sean also contributes his work to the community. In 1997, Sean and his brother Johnathan Henderson began planning a carved pole to be raised in Thunderbird Park at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. The two men began carving the pole in 1998 and in October 1999 they raised the pole, a ceremony marked by a traditional Feast that was widely attended. The carved pole represents symbol thanks to the Coast Salish people for sharing their lands with the Kwakwaka'wakw people of Northern Vancouver Island.
Sean Whonnock (Wanukw "River owner") is a Kwakwaka'wakw artist working in wood, canvas, stone, and precious metals. Sean was born and lives in Alert Bay in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada.
Alert Bay, BC Canada
Alert Bay, BC Canada
About Ha'edlakw (Sean)
Whonnock family canoe
Alert Bay BC Canada
"Gukwdzi" Big House Alert Bay, BC
Johnathan and Mary
Whonnock Memorial pole, 2004. Alert Bay BC
Whonnock Memorial pole, 2004. Alert Bay BC
Chief's rattle
Whonnock pole, centre-left
Thunderbird Park, Victoria BC.
Empress Hotel in background
Thunderbird Park, Victoria BC.
Empress Hotel in background
Bentwood Boxes
Sean Whonnock
carver painter jeweller
carver painter jeweller
Email: sean@seanwhonnock.com