Description

I-Hos Gallery is owned by the K'ómoks Band. Our shop presents a collection of traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast artwork designed and made by Indigenous artists.

Our culture is expressed through our art. We deal directly with all makers of handmade pieces, and provide you with the design meanings and artist biographies.

We are located between Courtenay and Comox on Vancouver Island, on the site of the original K’ómoks Village. The beautiful house front design of I-Hos Gallery incorporates a whale, “Queneesh” and the double-headed sea serpent, “I-Hos”. These creatures represent important crests of the K’ómoks people.

Standing inside of the entrance pole is a sxwayxwey (kway kway) dancer. The dancer wears a mask with protruding eyes and tongue. The dancer carries a scallop shell rattle and wears a tunic of swan feathers. This prestigious dance was a privilege of high-ranking K’ómoks families.

This exceptional artwork was designed exclusively for I-Hos Gallery by Calvin Hunt in 1995 and was carved with the assistance of his nephew Mervyn Child and cousin Geary Cranmer.