Born in the Chinese year of the rabbit, artist Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is recognized around the world for his playful paintings that feature his zodiac sign. Bunnies appear by ones, twos, and multiply (like rabbits) across his canvases—some even sparkle with diamond dust. In other paintings, butterflies, doves, and cockatoos radiate in rhythmic pattern: “I believe in repetition like a holy mantra or rosary,” Slonem explains. And with his choice of vibrant colors, it becomes easy to understand why his work is described as “pop expressionist.”
With a studio in Manhattan and houses in the Catskills and western Massachusetts, Slonem bridges the worlds of New York City and Upstate.
Sign of the Rabbit: The Colorful World of Hunt Slonem is the first museum exhibition in the Capital Region to explore Slonem’s work and his eclectic sense of design and decoration. Like his multi-layered rooms, this 5,000 square foot exhibition will display Slonem’s paintings and sculptures in gallery installations that incorporate the Albany Institute’s collections of furniture, sculpture, and decorative arts along with furnishings from Slonem’s houses. The exhibition will also feature two Slonem paintings recently added to the Albany Institute’s collection.
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Lead exhibition support is provided by Dorothea L. Leonhardt Foundation.
Major exhibition support is provided by Sabrina Ty and Brian FitzGerald.
Additional exhibition support is provided by Prentiss Carnell, Dr. Douglas Cohn and Mr. Barry Brown, Don and Ann Eberle, Faraz Khan and Mehak Jamil, Richard and Karen Nicholson, The Swyer Family Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Frank L. Thiel, Susan L. Blabey, Barbara Hoehn, Keith C. Lee and James M. Gaughan, Stephen and Mary Muller, Chester and Karen Opalka, Peter and Vicary Thomas, Larry and Judy White.
Season exhibition and program support is provided by Phoebe Powell Bender and Christine and George R. Hearst III. Albany Institute programs and exhibitions are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
