Artist: Hunt Slonem (American, b. 1951)
Title: Tropical Fronds
Medium: Gouache on Arches Paper
Size: 22.25" × 30.25" (57 × 77 cm)
Year: 1982
Signature: Signed and dated lower right, "Hunt Slonem 1982"
Documentation: Includes a gallery certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact
"Tropical Fronds" (1982) by Hunt Slonem is an expressive study of tropical foliage executed in gouache on Arches paper. The work is defined by multiple overlapping layers of vivid greens, yellows, and blues, which interact to create a sense of depth and rhythm across the surface. The textured application of paint emphasizes the luxuriance and movement of the leaves, capturing both the physicality and vitality of tropical plant life. The composition's abstraction is balanced by its reference to recognizable forms, reflecting Slonem's lifelong engagement with nature as a source of color, pattern, and structure.
Slonem's upbringing in tropical regions including the Philippines, Hawaii, and Nicaragua informed his fascination with lush vegetation and vibrant color, which is apparent in this work. "Tropical Fronds" demonstrates the same sensibility toward living forms and the dynamic interplay of natural color that characterize his artistic vision.
Hunt Slonem has been recognized as a leading figure in contemporary American Neo-Expressionism, and his work has been included in over 300 exhibitions worldwide. His paintings and works on paper are held in prominent public collections, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Moreau Foundation.
Hunt Slonem's "Tropical Fronds" measures 22.25 × 30.25 inches and is signed and dated "Hunt Slonem 1982" on the front lower right. Purchase includes a gallery certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact.
About Hunt Slonem
Hunt Slonem is a leading figure in contemporary American art, widely recognized for his vibrant Neo-Expressionist paintings, works on paper, and sculptural compositions. Born in 1951 in Kittery, Maine, Slonem spent much of his childhood in tropical regions, including Hawaii and Nicaragua, experiences that profoundly shaped his visual language and his enduring fascination with lush, natural environments. These formative experiences are reflected in his depictions of tropical flora, where color, pattern, and texture evoke the energy and richness of these landscapes.
Slonem studied painting and art history at Tulane University in New Orleans and further honed his practice at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, developing a distinctive style that blends abstraction with figurative motifs. His work frequently incorporates repeated natural forms, including tropical leaves, flowers, and occasionally birds, butterflies, and rabbits, though not every work includes fauna. These motifs serve as meditative symbols, emphasizing rhythm, repetition, and the expressive potential of color and pattern.
Over the course of his career, Slonem has maintained a prolific exhibition record, with more than 300 solo exhibitions internationally and numerous group shows. His work is included in the permanent collections of major institutions such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and other museums around the world. He has been particularly celebrated for his tropical landscapes and botanical compositions, which showcase his command of bright, layered color, gestural mark-making, and textured surfaces.
In addition to painting, Slonem produces three-dimensional works and installations that extend the visual language of his canvases into space. His immersive practice often integrates his personal collections of exotic plants and animals, emphasizing a dialogue between art and environment. Known for his distinctive approach to color, repetition, and the natural world, Hunt Slonem has established a lasting presence in contemporary art, blending technical precision with expressive vibrancy to create works that are both visually compelling and deeply personal.
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