Hunt Slonem’s art is a kaleidoscope of color, texture, and joy. Known for his vibrant depictions of rabbits, birds, and butterflies, Slonem has carved out a unique place in the art world. His work celebrates life, renewal, and the natural world with a sense of wonder that is both deeply personal and universally uplifting.

Explore his work in our current exhibition A Brush With Wonderland, showing in all three of our galleries.

From Nature Lover to Iconic Artist

Born in Kittery, Maine, in 1951, Slonem’s fascination with nature began early, inspired by his father’s Navy postings in tropical locales. His childhood love of birds, exotic environments, and historical homes became lifelong passions that continue to shape his art.

Slonem studied painting at Tulane University in New Orleans and also spent time in Central America, which left an indelible mark on his color palette and thematic choices. His career took off in the 1970s when he moved to New York City and became part of the art scene alongside icons like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.

Art and Spirituality

Slonem’s work is deeply tied to his spirituality and reverence for nature. He often speaks about his interest in mysticism, meditation, and the spiritual symbolism of his subjects. His rabbits, for instance, are a nod to his birth year in the Chinese zodiac and represent abundance and good fortune. Butterflies symbolize transformation, while birds embody freedom and transcendence.

These recurring motifs are not just symbols but meditative practices for the artist. Slonem begins each morning by painting rabbits in quick, expressive strokes, likening the process to writing in a diary. This ritualistic approach reflects his belief that creativity is a daily practice, one that brings balance and renewal.

Slonem’s art is instantly recognizable, thanks to his bold use of color, richly layered textures, and dynamic repetition of subjects. He often works on multiple canvases at once, layering paint and using a palette knife to scrape and reveal textures underneath. This technique gives his work a tactile, almost sculptural quality.

Living in Art

Hunt Slonem doesn’t just create art—he lives in it. The artist’s passion for historic architecture and interior design is evident in the magnificent homes he restores and fills with his artwork and collections. These spaces, often referred to as “living installations,” are extensions of his creative vision, blending the grandeur of bygone eras with the vibrant energy of his art.

Slonem has restored multiple historic properties, including a Gothic Revival mansion in Kingston, New York, and the Albania Plantation in Louisiana. These homes serve as both living spaces and showcases for his art and antiques. Each room is a riot of color and pattern, filled with his signature rabbit and bird paintings, gilded mirrors, antique furnishings, and ornate chandeliers. Walking through one of Slonem’s homes feels like stepping into a 19th-century salon reinvented with a contemporary, whimsical twist.

Beyond his personal spaces, Slonem’s art has also inspired collaborations in the world of design. His bold, iconic patterns have been transformed into luxurious fabrics and wallpapers, allowing collectors to bring his signature aesthetic into their own homes. Partnering with brands like Lee Jofa and Groundworks, Slonem has translated his bunnies, birds, and butterflies into home decor that is as lively and enchanting as his canvases.

For Slonem, the intersection of art and design is natural. “My houses are my sanctuary,” he explains, “but they’re also part of the art.” This holistic approach to creativity blurs the line between art and life, inviting us to see the spaces we inhabit as opportunities for self-expression and joy.

Finding Joy in Art

At its heart, Hunt Slonem’s work is about joy, renewal, and the simple pleasure of seeing the world through a lens of color and possibility. His vibrant canvases remind us to find beauty in the everyday, to embrace spontaneity, and to celebrate life’s endless potential for transformation.

Explore his world, and you’ll find yourself enchanted by the interplay of imagination, spirituality, and an unshakable love of nature.

Learn more about our Hunt Slonem exhibition A Brush With Wonderland
View more work by Hunt Slonem