The Wonder of Water, 2022

Newel Hunter  

Artist Statement:

"Newel Hunter's monochrome paintings have been all about gesture for some time. His swirls, drips and bleeds of fluid black acrylic whirl like dervishes against the blank page. Yet, while the artist's gestures stand only for themselves, his collaboration with the laws of chance results in ambiguous fields of positive and negative space that invite interpretation like the blots of a Rorschach test."

-- Jake Seniuk, Former Executive Director, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center

I paint almost exclusively in acrylic on a variety of surfaces, employing a selection of non-traditional painting tools – many of which I make myself – to achieve tone, texture, scale, substance … and surprise. My technique is primarily spontaneous – where action painting merges with the disciplines of calligraphy and archeology to create art that I hope is contemplative, contemporary and uncontrived.

This process becomes a play between control over materials and an open and permissive attitude toward technique, allowing the image to emerge as it will. Chance plays a important part in shaping the final product.

Each piece evolves as though it were a conversation between old friends... sometimes lighthearted and joyful, sometimes contentious and troubling. In the end – for me – it's all about painting “in the moment," delighting in the physical and letting it be. Just that simple … and complex.

Education:

Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Oregon

Awards & Distinctions:

Publications:
Aleatoric Art in the 21st Century. Featured as one of only 44 international artists. At 240 pages, this coffee table-sized book is the definitive volume on the role of chance in contemporary fine art.

Studio Visit Magazine, result of a juried national competition.

EkphrasIS Three, a publication of poetry, short prose and visual art edited by Phil Montenegro.

Exhibitions:

Select Exhibitions
2014
Aleatoric Art in the Twenty First Century; Lee County Alliance for the Arts; Ft Myers, Florida; Curator: Vernon Ennis

2013
Expressions Northwest; Northwind Art Center; Juror: David Lynx
CVG; Collective Visions Gallery; Juror: Alfredo Arreguin

2012
SaatchiOnline Abstract Showdown Finalist
Strait Art; Port Angeles Fine Art Center; Curator: Jake Seniuk
Solo: FAT BLACK; Okay Hotel; Curator: Eric Swangstu
Spirit of Place; Northwind Art Center; Juror: Theresa Verraes
CVG; Collective Visions Gallery; Juror: Kathleen Moles

2011
Expressions Northwest; Northwind Art Center; Juror: Gary Faigin
Back Country; Port Angeles Fine Art Center; Curator: Jake Seniuk
Strait Art; Port Angeles Fine Art Center; Curator: Jake Seniuk
CVG; Collective Visions Gallery; Juror: Dennis Peacock

2010
Expressions Northwest; Northwind Art Center; Juror: Suzanne Beal
Strait Art; Port Angeles Fine Art Center; Curator: Jake Seniuk
The Sea; Northwind Art Center; Juror: Michael Hale
Alchemy of the Abstract, Northwind Art Center, Juror: Elizabeth Jameson
CVG; Collective Visions Gallery; Juror: Jake Seniuk
Solo: How can I love you in black and white; Curator: Eric Swangstu

2009 - 2005
Expressions Northwest 2009; Northwind Art Center; Juror: Barbara Shaiman
Solo: Modern Primitive; The Art Mine; Curator: Andrea Taylor
Expressions West 2008; Coos Art Museum; Juror: Gary Faigin
Group Invitational 2008; Leedy-Voulkos Art Center; Kansas City, MO
Strait Art 2008; Port Angeles Fine Art Center; Curator: Jake Seniuk
Unorganization Group Collaborative 2008; The Art Mine; Curator: Eric Swangstu
Expressions Northwest 2007; Jefferson Arts Alliance; Merit Award; Juror: Lisa Van Doren
Expressions West 2007; Coos Art Museum; Juror: Amy Pence-Brown
Solo: The Art Mine in Port Hadlock, WA; Curator: Eric Swangstu
Heartbreaker 2007; Artisans on Taylor; Juror: Counsel Langley
Small Expressions 2006; Northwind Arts Alliance; Best of Show; Juror: Michael McCollum 
Air, Earth, Fire & Water 2006; Northwinds Art Center; Juror: Jake Seniuk
Sequim Arts Juried Exhibition 2006; Work of Note Award; Juror: Susan Ogilvie
Alchemy of the Abstract 2006; Northwind Arts Center; Juror: William Turner
Sequim Arts Juried Exhibition 2005; Best in Category, Oil and Acrylics; Juror: Suzy Kueckelhan
Expressions Northwest 2005; Jefferson Arts Alliance; Merit Award; Juror: Esther Luttikhuizen
Small Expressions 2005; Jefferson Arts Alliance; Merit Award; Juror: Cheryl H. Hahn
 

Artistic Influences:

Art Informel and Abstract Expressionists such as Pierre Soulages, Gerhard Richter, Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, Hans Hartung and Jean Miotte. I'm also a student of and often inspired by the masters of Chinese brush painting and Japanese calligraphy -- both major influences on my art.

Tags:

Contemporary, modern, abstract, surreal , black and white.