Mervyn Child was born in 1955 in the village of Tsakis, or Fort Rupert, at the North end of Vancouver Island, which he still calls home. Mervyn is a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw tribe, but also has some Tlingit and Nuu Chah Nulth ancestry.
He works with his uncle, Calvin Hunt, in the Copper Maker gallery and arts group. Mervyn learned to carve from his family well-known Kwakwaka’wakw carvers, Calvin Hunt, George Hunt Jr., and Tom Hunt. Mervyn was initiated into the Nunsishalis Society at the memorial potlatch for the late Tom Hunt.
Mervyn’s artistry is primarily defined by traditional carving styles and design work. His latest works include the carved house front for the new I-Hos Gallery on Vancouver Island.
He was also instrumental in carving the I-Hos canoe, which represents the double headed sea serpent. The canoe was a part of the Commonwealth Games during the summer of 1994. Mervyn is considered a master carver of Kwakwaka’wakw art. He is well known for his masks, totem poles and canoes, as well as his participation in the traditional cultural ceremonies.
Releases The Light Totem Mervyn Child Native Totem - Releases The Light Totem by Mervyn Child C2011 Carved Totem - Releases The Light Totem by Mervyn Child C2011 This Totem stands just over... |
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Moon Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Eagle and Frog Moon Mask by Mervyn Child C2011 Mask - Eagle and Frog Moon Mask by Mervyn Child C2011 Eagle with frog design one piece... |
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Moon Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Eagle and Frog Moon Mask by Mervyn Child C2011 Mask - Eagle and Frog Moon Mask by Mervyn Child C2011 Eagle with frog design one piece... |
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Moon Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Eagle and Frog Moon Mask by Mervyn Child C2011 Mask - Eagle and Frog Moon Mask by Mervyn Child C2011 Eagle with frog design one piece... |
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Releases The Light Totem Mervyn Child Native Totem - Releases The Light Totem by Mervyn Child C2011 Carved Totem - Releases The Light Totem by Mervyn Child C2011 This Totem stands just over... |
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Wide Face Moon Mervyn Child Native Mask - Wide Face Moon by Mervyn Child Native Mask - Wide Face Moon by Mervyn Child c2006 The Wide Face Moon or September Moon (Lixam)... |
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Wide Face Moon Mervyn Child Native Mask - Wide Face Moon by Mervyn Child Native Mask - Wide Face Moon by Mervyn Child c2006 The Wide Face Moon or September Moon (Lixam)... |
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Mountian Goat Transformation Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mountian Goat Transformation by Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mountian Goat Transformation by Mervyn Child c2006 The Mountian Goat is known as the... |
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Wide Face Moon Mervyn Child Native Mask - Wide Face Moon by Mervyn Child Native Mask - Wide Face Moon by Mervyn Child c2006 The Wide Face Moon or September Moon (Lixam)... |
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Wide Face Moon Mervyn Child Native Mask - Wide Face Moon by Mervyn Child Native Mask - Wide Face Moon by Mervyn Child c2006 The Wide Face Moon or September Moon (Lixam)... |
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Mountian Goat Transformation Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mountian Goat Transformation by Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mountian Goat Transformation by Mervyn Child c2006 The Mountian Goat is known as the... |
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Mountian Goat Transformation Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mountian Goat Transformation by Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mountian Goat Transformation by Mervyn Child c2006 The Mountian Goat is known as the... |
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Mountian Goat Transformation Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mountian Goat Transformation by Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mountian Goat Transformation by Mervyn Child c2006 The Mountian Goat is known as the... |
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Mourning Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mourning Mask Mervyn Child C2008 Mask - Mourning Mask Mervyn Child C2008 This is a Portrait Mask the tears running down the... |
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Mourning Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mourning Mask Mervyn Child C2008 Mask - Mourning Mask Mervyn Child C2008 This is a Portrait Mask the tears running down the... |
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Mourning Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Mourning Mask Mervyn Child C2008 Mask - Mourning Mask Mervyn Child C2008 This is a Portrait Mask the tears running down the... |
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Eagle Transformation Mervyn Child Native Mask - Eagle Transformation by Mervyn Child C2009 Mask - Eagle Transformation by Mervyn Child C2009 The Raven is also part of the Hamatsa... |
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Eagle Transformation Mervyn Child Native Mask - Eagle Transformation by Mervyn Child C2009 Mask - Eagle Transformation by Mervyn Child C2009 The Raven is also part of the Hamatsa... |
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Eagle Transformation Mervyn Child Native Mask - Eagle Transformation by Mervyn Child C2009 Mask - Eagle Transformation by Mervyn Child C2009 The Raven is also part of the Hamatsa... |
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Grizzly Bear Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Grizzly Bear mask by Mervyn Child C2010 Mask - Grizzly Bear mask by Mervyn Child C2010 A finely carved red cedar mask with... |
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Grizzly Bear Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Grizzly Bear mask by Mervyn Child C2010 Mask - Grizzly Bear mask by Mervyn Child C2010 A finely carved red cedar mask with... |
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Grizzly Bear Mask Mervyn Child Native Mask - Grizzly Bear mask by Mervyn Child C2010 Mask - Grizzly Bear mask by Mervyn Child C2010 A finely carved red cedar mask with... |