Bruno Mars, Portrait intervened by the artists, 2017

Cristian Hunter   Emerging artists

Bruno Mars, 2017 by Hunter & Gatti. From the series, I will make you a star. Acrylic painting, oil pastel pigment print on canvas.. Mixed technique. Mounted on a stretcher

This artwork was created by the artistic duo Hunter & Gatti (2010–2023). These works are part of the archive managed and exhibited by Cristian Hunter. The artist's technique consists of the use of two prints, the first print is the original photography, and the second print is a blurry version of the image printed on glass. The glass version of the picture is shattered with an iron tool to be able to control the rupture. The artists glued the glass parts on top of the original picture, creating a blurred effect. The artists explore even further the infinite possibilities of transformation by turning something as temporary as a fashion editorial, into something completely different and original; a unique piece of art.  

Cristian Hunter’s work starts from that belief. His photographs —created over a solid international career— are not mere documents, but open territories where painting, texture, and gesture expand photography into new dimensions of meaning. Hunter explores how an image can shift in meaning over time—how context, memory, and manual intervention can transform what was once captured into something newly revealed. Each piece is an invitation to look again, to uncover what lies beneath the visible. Guided by the premise that “nothing stays still,” he works from his personal archive, reinterpreting it, giving new life to what was once lived, and breaking the linear flow between past and present. His lens has captured renowned figures such as Pharrell Williams, Penélope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, Ewan McGregor, Lalisa Manoban, Adria Arjona, and Bruno Mars, among many others. Yet his focus goes beyond portraiture—what truly interests him is what remains when the image stops being literal and begins to emerge as a living object. His current body of work includes both new pieces and selected artworks from the artistic legacy of Hunter & Gatti, which he now manages. These are duly credited as “ created by Hunter & Gatti,” presented alongside his personal practice and establishing a dialogue between history, transformation, and contemporary gaze. His work has been exhibited in cities such as Barcelona, New York, and Miami, and reflects a visual practice grounded in experience, exploration, and ongoing evolution. 

From the series, I will make you a star Acrylic painting, oil pastel pigment print on canvas. Mixed media Signed on the front and signed on the back Mounted on a stretcher. “I will make you a Star" is a series of Hunter & Gatti's works reflect their desire to bring together photography and painting in one format. The artist duo was inspired by the neo-expressionist paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and more specifically by a particular incident in his career: the moment when art dealer René Ricard spotted Basquiat's work at a party and promised him he would make him a star. When Basquiat's work began to become famous, The art world was going through a very special time. The New York art scene was full of charismatic people, and having a strong public persona had a major influence on how one's work was perceived. While Basquiat's art is undoubtedly unique, it is his image, aesthetic and personality that have contributed most to his success. Hunter & Gatti wanted to pay homage to Basquiat's legacy by merging the portraits of celebrities they have taken in the past for editorials and fashion campaigns, featuring the most iconoclastic members of the current scene with Basquiat-inspired paintings that transcend the boundaries of the The artists have managed to integrate the art world and become part of our collective unconscious – just like the famous faces in their photos. Their idea was to create a series of original hybrids that explore the boundaries of popular culture. The identities of the celebrities can be recognized that hide behind the layers of paint, but at the same time one remains perplexed by the new faces that have emerged and this contradiction is the very essence of "I'll Make You a Star".