In Jackson Hole, it’s not uncommon to be stopped in one’s tracks by a wildlife sighting, whether great or small. Trudging through knee-deep snow down Broadway one night during the winter of 2016, I had my first encounter with a herd of brightly colored rabbits peering out quizzically from behind an assortment of ornate picture frames. Since first seeing Hunt Slonem’s paintings at Diehl Gallery that evening, I have been fascinated with the artist and his iconic work. Slonem needs little introduction: his bunny paintings have captured the hearts of collectors and admirers worldwide, his work appears in the permanent collections of 250 museums across the globe, and his penchant for design has been chronicled throughout books and countless media.

Diehl will be hosting their second exhibition of Slonem’s work, Thump & Flutter, opening with a reception this Thursday. I was thrilled when the gallery generously offered to share a sneak peek of the show and the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the bunnies behind the scenes while in conversation with gallery owner Mariam Diehl, and sales manager, Kiera Wakeman. And to my great delight, Hunt Slonem himself was gracious enough to personally chat with me about the show and some of his current projects. One thing’s for sure — wherever Hunt is around, it promises to be a wonderfully hare-raising experience!

Read on for my interview with Hunt and and Mariam:

Mariam, what moved you to found Diehl Gallery and how does its contemporary style fit in Jackson Hole amidst so much traditional Western art?

Mariam Diehl, gallery founder: I was the director of Meyer Gallery from 2002 until purchasing it from Susan Meyer in 2005 — while it was always a bit more contemporary than the other galleries in Jackson at that point, it definitely took a turn once I took the reins. Although we certainly didn't clean house and start from scratch with a contemporary stable of artists, we did start to transition right away to where we are today.

Jackson Hole is home to some of the top Western and wildlife galleries in the country. I knew when I started to develop my own program that was not my personal passion. In presenting a contemporary program in Jackson Hole, we've come to realize that not only are we not dependent on an exclusively local clientele, but also that many of our collectors with homes here have quite contemporary taste and don't collect Western art. We fill a niche, and we're quite pleased about that.

Why were you drawn to Hunt Slonem’s work, and what was the process like to first represent him at Diehl Gallery?

Mariam: I've known Hunt’s work for many years, and after selling several pieces to clients who were specifically looking for a Slonem, I called Hunt and discussed representing him in Jackson. He was excited about showing his work with us and it has been a mutually wonderful relationship ever since. I visit him in his studio whenever I'm in New York and we periodically meet up in other cities where we're doing art fairs together.

Hunt, what a privilege to have the opportunity to see some of your new work in Jackson Hole. What should we look for in this show that might otherwise be unexpected?

Hunt Slonem: There is a bright pink, 5x3’ bunny sculpture that has never been out of my studio before — this is a big leap forward for me with sculpture. I’ve done a lot of monumental sculpture, but this is the first of its kind and Mariam had the foresight to include it in the show.

I’m taken with every painting of Hunt’s that I’ve ever seen. Mariam, how did you decide what other pieces to include in the show?

Mariam: One of the exciting components of this exhibition is the ombre paintings. We've only had two over the past year, and this exhibition features quite a few. We're drawn to them and we think our collectors will be as well.

Hunt Slonem, Hombres, Courtesy of Diehl Gallery — Hunt Slonem, *Hombres,* Courtesy of Diehl Gallery

To me, sometimes the bunnies have a certain Watership Down-esque gravitas, but other times they are lighthearted and even rather impish. I love it when art doesn’t feel like it has to be approached with such solemnity. What is it about the bunny paintings that resonates with Diehl’s collectors?

Mariam: At a time when much of the art world strives to create and present art that is shocking, politically motivated or otherwise serious, Hunt’s work, particularly the bunnies, makes one smile. That is precisely what most of our collectors enjoy about it and why they continue to collect. Their Slonem bunny painting collections seem to multiply like... rabbits.

Hunt, in Wyoming we have three species of hares, but it’s our elusive jackalope (haha) that is the most infamous… what do you think about that?

Hunt: Well, that’s interesting because rabbits are very mysterious creatures in general. They represent luck and fertility, prolificness, and they really do bring a smile to people’s faces, unlike some other animals we might encounter. I’m a rabbit (in the Chinese zodiac).

Hmm, I wonder how your path might have been different — for example, I was born in the year of the rat.

Hunt: Rats actually are revered as the vehicle to the Hindu god Ganesh. There are temples in India dedicated to the rat — you should really look it up.

Mariam, Do you see a connection with clients pursuing great interior design in their homes that also include Hunt’s work?

Mariam: Hunt's love for interior design is evident in his numerous books on the subject, which range in topic from pure design to wonderful photographic collections about his various historic and lovingly restored plantations in Louisiana, which are homes to his art, furniture and design. Certainly, we've found some collectors who love to put Hunt's bunny paintings on a wall papered with his bunny wallpaper in a room hung with drapes in his custom fabrics. For others, though, the bunnies are in very spare, contemporary settings quite different from Hunt's homes and studios, which are ornate and filled with historical furniture and his own art in beautiful antique frames. It shows that his work transcends purely contemporary or even traditional and fits well in both design aesthetics.

Hunt: I’m not an interior designer but my interiors become part of my art. It’s an extension of my play with design and color. There’s a new book out — World of Folly— about the interiors of the Watres Armory, which I saved from demolition.

How should young/new collectors begin to think about acquiring a piece by an artist like Hunt Slonem? What advice do you have for those who are considering making their first significant investment?

Mariam: Art collecting is certainly a lifelong experience. For younger or newer collectors, knowing they're investing in a piece of art that they will have for the rest of their lives is important. They would do well to consider collecting an artist, like Slonem, who is known, is in numerous museum collections, and whose work will retain its value. He's a living artist whose investment costs still continue to rise. In our gallery, we're excited at the prospect of helping collectors aquire their first piece of art, and whenever possible we will offer payment programs to help ease the financial commitment of what for many people is a significant purchase.

What can we look forward to from Diehl Gallery, and from you, Hunt, in the next year?

Mariam: The upcoming year will continue to offer us the opportunity to present thought-provoking—and smile encouraging—work at Diehl. We will of course continue to present new works by Hunt throughout the year.

Hunt: All kinds of things: big mural projects in L.A., new shows in Ukraine, and a big installation project in Roanoke, Virginia. I’m also experimenting with a lot of new materials… did I mention I’m passionate about saving historic landmarks? I most recently purchased Madewood and there are two more landmarks that I’m wanting to save… and, I’m always excited about what new ideas emerge from the subconscious.

And an upcoming visit to Dallas?

Hunt: Yes, in September! See you then.

If you have the good fortune to be in Jackson Hole this week, Diehl Gallery invites you to join the opening reception for Hunt Slonem: Thump & Flutter on Thursday, July 18 from 5-8 PM.

While I keep dreaming of owning a Slonem, until then I love flipping through three art books that showcase Slonem’s work: Bunnies, Birds, and Bitty Bunnies. With 256 pages dedicated to all things rabbit, the hefty 11x14 Hunt Slonem Bunnies Book makes a serious statement on a coffee table or entry console, and the more compact Bitty Bunnies is something else to nibble on—it makes a great gift or addition to a bedside table.

Additionally, for the interior design-minded, the visual feast that is World of Folly, plus the extensive collection of Kravet wallpaper and fabrics designed by Slonem for Groundworks/Lee Jofa are not to be missed!

BOOKS

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All of my thanks to Diehl Gallery and to Hunt Slonem for your time, generosity, and most of all, wonderful conversations!