Dora de Pedery-Hunt – A Portrait in Persistence

Arts Documentary | 47 minutes

The Artist Behind the Coins. The Legacy Behind the Silence.

She shaped the face of Canada — yet most Canadians have never heard her name.

Dora de Pedery-Hunt – A Portrait in Persistence is a moving 47-minute arts documentary that tells the powerful story of one of Canada’s most prolific but unrecognized artists. As the sculptor behind the iconic image of Queen Elizabeth II on Canadian coins, Dora de Pedery-Hunt’s work is literally in every Canadian’s pocket — but her personal story remained hidden for decades.

Premiered on Bravo! in March 2000, the film explores Dora’s extraordinary journey: from a penniless immigrant washing floors in Toronto, to an internationally acclaimed medalist and sculptor who opened an entirely new realm of artistic expression in Canada. Despite her global recognition, she spent her final years living in poverty — a reality that raises pressing questions about how Canada values its elder artists.

Through rare interviews, intimate reflections, and expert commentary, this documentary reveals the heart of a woman whose life embodied passion, perseverance, and the enduring power of art.

“Dora de Pedery-Hunt is one of the most visible artists in this country… her version of the Queen’s portrait, found on Canadian coins, is world renowned.”
— Robert Aaron, Coin Expert & Columnist