Page 78 - LIN JAN 2022 WEB FILES

Autistic Artisan Turns Metal Into Smiles

unter Nall who already was doing well, selling
sees things almost everything he makes at
Hdifferently. Whitman Design, where he
He sees nuts and started as an apprentice to owner
bolts and scraps David Alger. Now Hunter rents
of metal and turns a workshop and displays finished
them into art such products in the showroom,
by Jeff Lytle as fish, birds and where his work blends in with
even marionettes Whitman’s eclectic handmade
that work. Nails are welded into trivets. custom lighting and furniture.
He sees tea cups and candleholders as “He has had virtually no arts
future birdfeeders. He sees the long- training,” says his stepmother,
nosed head of a puppet in an oil can. Gayle Nall, “but finds that art is
He looks at a French castle and notices a way he can communicate his
shapes of suits of armor. deepest thoughts and make people
“I borrow concepts and make them my happy.”
own,” he explains. The autistic artisan’s “It’s not just about the money,”
latest push is to repurpose entire Hunter explains. “It’s about
discarded motor scooters, starting with making people smile. My work
one that his sister spied at curbside interests them and makes them
waiting for the trashman. Hunter think.” His own interests and
snagged it and started searching for thoughts “fire up” with travel,
others – ideal for his art because they which was shelved by the
have so much metal in fenders and pandemic but now is on track
lights. with a summer trip with Gayle to
So far they have been transformed into Michigan and plans for New York,
robots, dogs, birds and an alligator, Chicago and maybe Denmark
whose back is fashioned from a blown and Luxembourg (more castles
tire tread. and armor). “He is inspired by the
Nall, 26, and his work are earning attention beyond his base, the world,” she says.
Whitman Design studio in Naples’ Design District, across 10th “Hunter is successful at carving out a mini niche of creative
Street from the Naples products for himself
Depot. to begin his future
He is engaging patrons independence,” says
of street art shows, Alger. “That was my
relishing their questions. first goal and direction
He networked with for him -- to build up
other artists on future an inventory of low-
projects at the latest priced , easily sellable
annual Naples Woman’s sculptures to establish
Club charity auction. plentiful sales, build
A sponsor of that, a confidence, and build
Porsche dealer, has communication skills
agreed to provide Nall with the public. All of
spare parts. His work this he achieved within
will be featured at the first year. Now
four interior designers’ he’s adding into his
studios. And he has inventory larger scale
a new advertising pieces to show how
brochure and video deep his abilities are.”
coming out. Alger points with
Not bad for an artist pride to a 10th Street

78 Life in Naples | January 2022