Hunt Slonem

American, 1951

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Hunt Slonem draws profound inspiration from nature and his collection of 60 pet birds, informing his renowned neo-expressionist style. He is acclaimed for his iconic series featuring bunnies, butterflies, and tropical birds, alongside his notable large-scale sculptures and meticulous restorations of neglected historic homes. Slonem’s artworks are prominently displayed in the permanent collections of 250 museums worldwide, including prestigious institutions like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and the Whitney Museum, among others.

Since his debut solo exhibition at the Fischbach Gallery in 1977, Slonem’s art has been showcased internationally, including recent exhibitions at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art and the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. In 2017 and 2018, he was featured at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Gallery in Bulgaria, and numerous galleries across the United States, Germany, and Dubai.

Born in 1951 in Kittery, Maine, Slonem’s childhood was marked by his father’s naval career, leading to frequent relocations across Hawaii, California, and Connecticut. His passion for travel continued into adulthood, studying abroad in Nicaragua and Mexico, experiences that profoundly shaped his artistic perspective and appreciation for tropical landscapes.

After earning a degree in painting and art history from Tulane University in New Orleans, Slonem settled in Manhattan during the early 1970s. A pivotal moment came in 1975 when Janet Fish provided him with studio space, enabling him to fully dedicate himself to his artistic pursuits. His works gained prominence in New York’s contemporary art scene, supported by grants from institutions like Montreal’s Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cultural Counsel Foundation’s Artist Project. Notably, he painted an 80-foot mural of the World Trade Center in the late 1970s and enjoyed a long association with the Marlborough Gallery.

As Slonem refined his aesthetic, his artworks found homes in distinctive settings, such as his monumental six-by-86-foot bird mural at the Bryant Park Grill Restaurant in New York City. His charitable endeavors include collaborations like the bunny-themed wallpaper designed with Lee Jofa for the Ronald McDonald House in Long Island.

Continuing to draw inspiration from history, Slonem creates evocative portraits, such as his pop-art reinterpretation of Abraham Lincoln, alongside ongoing projects like the nine-foot-tall bronze sculpture of French explorer Robert De La Salle destined for public display in Louisiana.

A passionate advocate for preserving America’s architectural heritage, Slonem has undertaken ambitious restoration projects for historic landmarks across the country. His efforts include the restoration of Cordt’s Mansion in Kingston, New York; the Lakeside and Albania mansions in Louisiana; and the Scranton Armory and Charles Sumner Woolworth’s mansion in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His current focus is Belle Terre, a significant property in South Kortright, New York.

Numerous books and monographs have documented Slonem’s artistic journey, including titles like "Bunnies" (Glitterari Inc., 2014), "Birds" (Glitterati Inc., 2017), and "Hunt Slonem: An Art Rich and Strange" (Harry N. Abrams, 2002). His studios and homes have been featured in publications like "When Art Meets Design" (Assouline Publishing, 2014) and "Pleasure Palaces: The Art and Homes of Hunt Slonem" (powerHouse Books, 2007). His forthcoming publication, "Gatekeeper" (Assouline Publishing), will highlight his transformation of the Scranton Armory "from arms to art.

Incollect Article: "Hunt Slonem: On the Mystical Pleasures of Bunnies, Butterflies, Birds"

Incollect Article: "Madison Gallery Brings Hunt Slonem to Southern California"

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