Hunt Slonem, born in 1951 in Kittery, Maine, is a renowned American artist celebrated for his distinctive neo-expressionist style. With an enduring fascination for nature and an avian-inspired environment shaped by his 60 pet birds, Slonem has carved out a unique niche in the contemporary art world. His vibrant series of bunnies, butterflies, and tropical birds have captivated audiences globally, alongside his large-scale sculptures and meticulous restorations of forgotten historic homes.
Slonem's works grace the permanent collections of over 250 museums worldwide, including prestigious institutions like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Whitney Museum, the Miro Foundation, and the New Orleans Museum of Art.
Slonem's early life was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's career as a Navy officer. This nomadic lifestyle took him across the United States, with significant periods spent in Hawaii, California, and Connecticut. These experiences cultivated in him a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and landscapes, a theme that later permeated his artistic oeuvre. His formative years also included studies abroad in Nicaragua and Mexico, further enriching his worldview and artistic palette.
Slonem pursued his passion for art formally at Tulane University in New Orleans, where he graduated with a degree in painting and art history. The vibrant cultural scene of New Orleans left an indelible mark on his work, particularly his fascination with tropical environments.
Hunt Slonem's artistic journey took a pivotal turn in 1975 when fellow artist Janet Fish offered him her studio for the summer. This opportunity allowed Slonem to immerse himself in his work fully. His distinctive pieces soon began to attract attention in New York City’s burgeoning contemporary art scene. His first solo show at the Fischbach Gallery in 1977 marked the beginning of a prolific career, with his works exhibited internationally hundreds of times since.
His career has been adorned with several notable grants and awards, including support from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation in Montreal, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cultural Counsel Foundation’s Artist Project. One of his significant early achievements was painting an 80-foot mural of the World Trade Center in the late 1970s.
Slonem's art is characterized by its vibrant colors, repetitive patterns, and a deep reverence for nature. His series of bunnies, butterflies, and tropical birds have become iconic. One of his notable works includes a six-by-86-foot mural of birds at the Bryant Park Grill Restaurant in New York City. His portrait series of Abraham Lincoln reimagines the historic figure as a pop-art icon, showcasing Slonem's ability to blend historical reverence with contemporary flair.
Slonem's life and work have been the subject of numerous books and monographs, such as Bunnies (Glitterati Inc., 2014), Birds (Glitterati Inc., 2017), and Hunt Slonem: An Art Rich and Strange (Harry N. Abrams, 2002). His studios and homes are also featured in books like When Art Meets Design (Assouline Publishing, 2014) and Pleasure Palaces: The Art and Homes of Hunt Slonem (powerHouse Books, 2007). His upcoming book, Gatekeeper (Assouline Publishing), documents his reclamation of the Scranton Armory, highlighting its transformation from a military facility to an artistic haven.
Presented by Tilsitt Gallery
Tilsitt Gallery
(Art gallery, Portugal)
