Bender Gallery is happy to present the Year of the Rabbit, a solo exhibition and book signing featuring the lush Neo-Expressionist works of internationally celebrated artist Hunt Slonem and his newly released book, Butterflies. Slonem’s opulent textural paintings of his iconic birds and butterflies and his wildly popular rabbits, as well as unique sculptural works, give us a glimpse into Slonem’s colorful maximalist world and artistic empire. Bender Gallery will be hosting a public opening reception and book signing event on June 1 at the gallery from 5 -8 PM. RSVP to the gallery to purchase the book and have it signed. 

Hunt Slonem (b. 1951, Kittery, Maine) and his family moved often growing up due to his father being a naval officer which included living in Hawaii for a time. It was in Hawaii that Hunt become fascinated by the exotic colorful birds of the islands.  He would continue to seek out far flung locations as a young adult, studying abroad in Nicaragua, Peru, and Mexico. These rich visual experiences imbued Slonem with an appreciation for sensuous tropical landscapes which influence his unique style. After graduating with a BFA in painting and art history from Tulane University in New Orleans, Slonem moved to Manhattan where he lives and works today. Slonem has been a prominent figure in the NY art scene for decades. He went to Studio 54 and knew Andy Warhol, the artist that is Slonem’s primary inspiration. Slonem loves the idea of repetition which Warhol made famous in his work. He considers repetition his mantra; whether in paintings filled to the edges with multiples of imagery or individual smaller works displayed salon style resembling a sort of pattern and redundancy.

Slonem’s favorite subjects are birds (he once had over 60 of them as pets in his studio), butterflies and, of course, the endearing bunnies which have become his unique signature. The exuberant and vibrantly colorful paintings are created with generous layers of oil paint and gestural brush strokes. He often uses rich materials such as metallic paint and diamond dust to add to the impact of his unapologetically glamorous look. Slonem often adds textural interest to the work by extensive cross-hatching into the surface leading to a grid-like look. In juxtaposition, Slonem’s deliberately simple, almost naïve mark making counterbalances and defies he preciousness of the work.

Slonem’s “bunny paintings” took off in the early 2000s, from monumental works of multiple rabbits (a fluffle, so to speak) to his signature 8x10 inch individual bunnies in ornate antique frames. The artist attributes his passion for bunnies to their sweet natures and the fact that he discovered that he was born in a “Year of the Rabbit" while dining at a Chinese restaurant with Chinese Zodiac place mats. It was then that Slonem knew that bunnies were part of his destiny.

Slonem also produces a variety of other thematic works including glass, bronze, and ceramic individual rabbit sculptures, glass wall busts, led controlled lightbox paintings on plexiglass, and large stainless-steel sculptures, many of which will be featured in the exhibition. The artist also has a line of high-end lifestyle furnishings sold through his Hop Up Shop and Bergdorf Goodman

Slonem’s works are in the permanent collections of 250 museums and collections worldwide, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Whitney, the Miro Foundation, Spain, and Museum of Fine Art, Boston. Slonem is well known for his collection of neglected historic properties, which he lovingly restores and fills with art (his and others), antiques, and other sumptuous furnishings.

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