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A Popular Artist
ASK THE

artsperts www.harmonmeek.com

by Kristine Meek and Juliana Meek 599 NINTH STREET, NORTH, SUITE 309 | NAPLES, FL 34102 | 239.261.2637
Dear Artsperts,

I was Googling Hunt Slonem when the search engine popped
up with the suggested autofill of “Why is Hunt Slonem so
popular?”. I must not be alone in wondering!
What do you think?
Signed,
Googled

Dear Googled,
No, you aren’t alone as this is a question asked in our gallery
too. Having represented Hunt Slonem since 1994, Harmon-Meek
Gallery can boast having represented Hunt Slonem continuously,
longer than any other gallery in the world. With galleries all
over the world, museum exhibitions on nearly every continent,
numerous books, national magazine articles, television features, and
commissioned works in public places all over the country, it’s no
Terrapin Sunbath, by Hunt Slonem, oil on canvas, 50” x 60”, 2022
wonder that Hunt Slonem’s name is so well known today.
When William Meek met Hunt Slonem in the early 90s and
saw his colorful paintings of Saints and animals, he was enthralled,
yet familiar with Slonem’s work. Yet the work tends to stand
just as so many patrons and art enthusiasts around the world have
out among the artists shown and much time will be devoted to
come to be. Back in the 90s, Naples was not as well known, and
discussing Slonem. There is much to be said about his techniques
neither was Hunt. But just as Naples has grown in popularity, so
with varying texture and subject matter from bayous to portraits, to
has Slonem’s reputation. Simply put, when you have a good thing,
bunnies, just to name a few.
it’s hard to keep it a secret.
While most gallery visitors enjoy Slonem’s work, not everyone
When Juliana first visited Hunt’s studio as a teenager, his studio
does. The surprise is that even in the case of those who do not
was the entire floor of an old office building in Manhattan, each
care for his art, there still tends to be a lot of focus on his work.
room colored completely in one bold color, different from the next
Normally, visitors will just walk by a work they don’t like. But not
room. You could feel the space was a former office building, with
with Slonem, even if a visitor doesn’t care for the work, they stop
prized corner offices and large areas for the bullpen. Yet, the space
and study the work and engage in conversation about the work.
was transformed into a Willy
There is no question, Hunt Slonem draws instant attention and
Wonka-like explosion of creativity
leaves a lasting impression.
and color. He had his menagerie
With his work in such high demand today and many galleries
of birds and turtles in antique
working with Hunt Slonem, Harmon-Meek Gallery is honored
cages and fern-lined ponds,
to continue to receive a wonderful selection of works each season.
respectively. Still, it was like no
Each fall Juliana Meek hand selects works from his Manhattan
place else on Earth. And as much
studio, which today is in a three-story historic building. The perfect
as Hunt’s work is now replicated,
setting for Slonem, who is a great advocate for historic preservation.
there really is no other artist
Sincerely,
alive today whose work strikes The Artsperts
audiences like a Hunt Slonem
painting.
Occasionally, people will
stop in the gallery who are not Abraham Lincoln,
by Hunt Slonem,
oil on wood,
20” x 16”. 2022
22 Life in Naples | January 2024