Hunt Slonem

Hunt Slonem

Born in 1951 in Kittery, Maine, Hunt Slonem is a major artist in American Neo-Expressionism. His artistic identity was forged through his travels; having spent part of his childhood in Hawaii and later living in Managua, Nicaragua, as an exchange student, his artist persona developed a lasting fascination with the exoticism that permeates every one of his works today. 

Since 1977, Slonem has had over 250 solo exhibitions at prestigious galleries, Museums both domestic and international have collected his work, among them The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

Galerie de Bellefeuille is proud to represent this exceptional figure through a prime selection of Hunt Slonem art. 

The Artist's Universe

To understand Slonem's work is to enter his personal universe, which is inseparable from his creation.

From the Legendary Loft to the Plantations 

Slonem lives and works in New York in his legendary loft, which houses an aviary of 70 exotic birds. His studio is a work of art in itself—a lush and sensual environment, filled not only with Hunt Slonem birds and plants, but also with a collection of Baroque and Neo-Gothic furniture, Blenko art glass, and brilliantly colored rooms.

Repetition as a Visual Mantra

Slonem's approach is unique in the contemporary art landscape. Far from mechanical reproduction, his practice of repetition is spiritual and meditative. For the artist, painting a motif recurrently is akin to reciting a mantra. This accumulation creates a vibrational density on the canvas, transforming the subject into a study of rhythm and movement. Hunt Slonem paintings are distinguished by this capacity to capture vital energy through a rich color palette and liberated gestures.

Iconic Series: Bunnies, Birds, and Butterflies

The artist’s visual vocabulary is immediately recognizable, particularly through his celebrated rabbit paintings. These works, often created as a daily warm-up, transcend simple animal representation to become abstract icons. Works such as Bunnies Tondo (2019) and Miles (2024) exemplify this approach, where the repetition of the motif and the strength of the gesture explore the vital energy of these subjects.

The artist draws direct inspiration from his immediate surroundings for his avian series. Hunt Slonem’s birds—such as Violet Perch (2021) and Royal Starling (2024)—burst with color, reflecting the life he encounters daily within his aviary of exotic birds and throughout his artistic practice.

Finally, Hunt Slonem renders butterflies with a luminosity reminiscent of stained glass, symbolizing the fragility and metamorphosis of nature. This universe can be seen in works such as Morphos & Fratilleries (2019) and Bird Wing Startled (2022), where the delicacy of form merges with a vibrant palette.

Technique and Texture: Sgraffito

What gives Hunt Slonem paintings their unique depth is the masterful use of sgraffito. Working "wet on wet," Slonem carves into thick layers of oil paint using the handle of his brush. This grid, or cross-hatching, brings a sculptural texture to the pictorial surface. Whether on canvas or through a Hunt Slonem bunny sculpture, this materiality invites the viewer to a tactile appreciation of the work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For collectors wishing to acquire Hunt Slonem art for sale, Galerie de Bellefeuille offers a selection that reflects this fascinating universe. We invite you to contact us to discover the available pieces.

Where can I buy Hunt Slonem art in Canada? 

Galerie de Bellefeuille represents the artist and offers a varied selection of his works in its spaces as a Local Art gallery in Montreal and Toronto. As a leading Canadian gallery, we offer collectors access to his most sought-after series.

How much are Hunt Slonem paintings? 

The value of Hunt Slonem's works varies depending on the medium, size, and series. For specific details regarding Hunt Slonem pieces available for purchase, please contact us by phone or via our online form.