Description:

Hunt Slonem (American/Louisiana, b. 1951) , "Cockatoo Chinensis (Horbills & Cockatoos)", 2001, oil on canvas, signed, titled and dated en verso, 80 in. x 90 in. (in six panels), unframed. Provenance: Collection of Wendy and the late George (1944-2013) Rodrigue . Ill.: Kuspit, Donald B. Hunt Slonem: An Art Rich and Strange. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2002, jacket cover. Note: The monumental painting by Hunt Slonem offered here was selected as the cover of the monograph on the artist, Hunt Slonem: An Art Rich and Strange, published by Harry N. Abrams in 2002. This archetypal work perfectly represents Slonem’s iconic bird series – a colorful and frenetic ode to the artist’s avian subjects. Donald Kuspit writes: “Slonem’s birds are transformational objects facilitating his creative growth, indeed, the symbol as well as major subject of his astonishing creativity.” Slonem adores birds and deeply identifies with them…“My fascination with bird life started when I was a child living in Hawaii. I became mesmerized by them. I'm drawn to their colors, their forms, their songs, their mystical qualities and how they affect the areas of the world that they're in.” Slonem incorporates crosshatching into his paintings by scratching the sharpened tip of a paintbrush through wet paint, as a result the subjects beneath the grid become obstructed, reflecting how a human might view birds through the bars of their cage. This technique became a part of Slonem’s distinctive style and is reflected in many of his avian-centric pieces. “Hornbills & Cockatoos” offered here takes this textural concept even a step further, as the six panel construction adds yet another layer to the grid. This extraordinary painting epitomizes the ideal marriage of Slonem’s subject matter with his mastery of color. Unafraid of a bold palette, the work is saturated in vibrant hues that lend both a sense of the familiar and otherworldliness to his birds. With their ties to Louisiana, Hunt Slonem and George Rodrigue perhaps not surprisingly shared a long friendship and enjoyed the camaraderie of two artists who each has achieved success in the art world on their own terms. Wendy Rodrigue has commented: “We own quite a few pieces by Hunt. He and George became close friends, always talking shop. It was mutual admiration. They were in awe how much each was able to get done as business owners and with Hunt’s estate remodeling — they both still had time to paint.” This artistic success for both Slonem and Rodrigue came about through a similar mindset – the idea that one’s voice and personal vision must always come first, regardless of the art world and critics, and a true dedication to their craft – a tireless desire to put paint to canvas. Rodrigue once requested that Slonem paint Wendy’s portrait for a special Christmas gift, and he was surprised to later find that, rather than a single painting, Slonem had created thirty-five unique compositions. Twelve of those paintings became her gift, opened one after another on Christmas morning, and they remain a treasured part of her collection along with other important works by Slonem. “Hornbills & Cockatoos” offered here hung in the Rodrigue’s home in Carmel, California in a place of honor for many years – a true testament to the Rodrigue’s appreciation for Slonem as a great American artist and as a friend. Ref.: Branton, Vicky. “Into His World.” The Daily Iberian. Aug. 28, 2016. Kuspit, Donald B. Hunt Slonem: An Art Rich and Strange. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2002

  • Condition: All lots are sold “As is” and “Where is”. Neal Auction provides condition reports on items with a low estimate over $500 as a courtesy to aid in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalogue or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. Completed condition reports are posted as an additional image with the lot. Neal Auction does not give refunds

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June 12, 2020 2:00 PM CDT
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