Hunt Slonem, The Art Fair Golden Boy

The most featured artist at Palm Beach Modern & Contemporary Art Fair 2023

The Palm Beach Modern & Contemporary Art Fair was the third I have attended since January 1. At most fairs, there are trends that viewers note when multiple galleries carry the work of the same artist. And, while Hunt Slonem’s work has consistently had high visibility for a couple of years now, at the just completed Palm Beach Modern & Contemporary Fair, his work was omnipresent. I like Hunt’s work, but its beauty always raises the question: Is it serious art or a fad?

In a separate thought stream, when I visited the Vatican Museum, I was gobsmacked by the beauty of every piece. I immediately understood the importance of the Vatican collection. The collection represents some of the best pieces of art created since the beginning of time. Therefore, when I learned that the Vatican commissioned work from Hunt, it struck a cord.

We are fortunate to have a couple of pieces by Hunt in our home. Peter obtained them many years ago, long before Hunt’s recent rise in popularity. I always liked the pieces but didn’t put them in the same category as Bertoia or Shonibare. So now I have to seriously question my assessment. And while today’s prices seem very expensive compared to his past work, if he is on sustained path of escalating prices it may be cheap in relation to future prices. My instinct tends to be conservative, but I am sometimes wrong as I admitted previously about Warhol and Kusama.

To dig deeper, I asked Chat GPT for a list of positives and negatives about Hunt’s work. Chat GPT said this:

Positive:

• Slonem's art is visually striking and colorful, with bold brushstrokes and a lively, almost whimsical quality that makes his subjects come to life on the canvas.

• His use of pattern and repetition in his works creates a sense of rhythm and movement, making the paintings even more captivating.

• Slonem's unique style and subject matter have gained him a dedicated following, with many collectors and admirers of his work.

Negative:

• Some critics argue that Slonem's work is too decorative and lacks depth or meaning beyond its surface-level beauty. Moreover, they argue that his paintings are more decorative objects than serious works of art.

• Some people might find Slonem's use of animals as subjects trivializing or exploitative, especially if they feel that the animals are being used purely for their decorative value rather than being treated as sentient beings.

• Slonem's work can be expensive, making it inaccessible to many people and contributing to the perception of it as elitist or exclusive.

Overall, Hunt Slonem's art is highly subjective, and people's opinions will depend on their tastes and values. However, there is no denying that his work is visually stunning and has a unique and recognizable style, making him a notable figure in the art world.

Ultimately, it’s your choice, but considering his increasing popularity you may want to investigate and form your own opinion. It may lead to an art investment or just exciting cocktail conversation, but either way, you will take one step closer to being an informed collector.