Hilton Henhawke – Performing and Visual Artist Hilton Henhawke is a member of the Upper Mohawk and Seneca Nations, turtle clan, Six Nations Confederacy. Hilton was born in 1935 in Vienna Ontario, and he was raised in Ingersoll Ontario and has resided in Toronto since 1980. Hilton has three daughters, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Since early childhood Hilton displayed an artistic talent , but it was not until later in life that he could turn his full attention to developing his gift. In 1999 Hilton completed four years of study at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. Hilton Henhawke & Jack Layton Hilton explores his themes in acrylic, oil, watercolour, pen and ink, or prints from woodcuts, silk-screen, lithographs, or zinc plate etchings. Hilton’s experience and unique vision compel him to a broad range of expression, so he does not confine his work to obvious Native ideology and symbols. Some of Hilton’s art is symbolic and abstract, while other pieces are realistic and representational. Hilton’s special love is landscape art and he has superb examples of his murals in Toronto. Recently Hilton started a new line of painted furniture called ‘Legacy’. The ‘Legacy’ line of painted furniture has been given as unique, customized presentation pieces at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and retirements. Hilton‘s art has been displayed in many art shows in Canada, including the Colony Hotel, the Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto City Hall, Sky Dome Pow Wow, Kensington Market Summer Festival, Aboriginal Voices Festival 2000, Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre, Beachville District Museum, Kiva II Gallery and the Coloured Stone. Much of his art is now in private collections in Canada, the U.S.A., Europe and even Saudi Arabia. Hilton’s most recent commissioned work is to be seen at the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority Administration Office. His three painted drums are part of MEWINZHA – A Journey Back in Time – A First Nations archaeological display and interpretive centre located in the atrium. It is a collaborative effort in partnership with the Town of Fort Erie, Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, Fort Erie Museum Services, and Peace Bridge Authority. As an active member of the Buffalo Jump Artists’ Collective, Hilton Henhawke helps organize the annual Peace & Unity Walk plus the ‘Expanding the Circle’ Festival held on National Aboriginal Day. The Collective delivers craft workshops in Toronto Native organizations, art galleries and schools. The Artists’ Collective also participates in the High Park Harvest Festival and Kensington Market Festival of Lights. Hilton is a vital planner and participant in these events. In addition to his work as a visual artist, Hilton expanded his talents into the performing arts. He was featured in a series titled ‘Spiritual Literacy, A is for Attention’ as he carved from wood an artwork titled “Spirit Woman”. He has also appeared in Divided Loyalties, Canada a People’s History, Death to Smoochy, The Brady Bunch Goes to Washington, Wonderfalls and The Relic Hunter.

Living in: 175 Elm Street, apt.206, Toronto ON M5T 2Z8, Ontario

Disciplines: Visual Arts, Traditional Arts & Design