"THE THRILL OF THE HUNT"

 

           RICHARD HUNT

 

 

                         BY: SHANNON WRIGHT

 

 

 

 

FASCINATING, AMAZING | A PORTRAIT OF RICHARD HUNT

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Richard Hunt.  Place that name in your memory bank and never forget it. In honor of Black History Month, I have decided to feature Hunt’s amazing career this February on BLÄQAZINE.

When Richard Hunt returned my phone call, I answered immediately, responding, “Wow, The Richard Hunt on my phone, I am going to faint.”  He replied, “Well, don’t do that, I’m not there to catch you.” This broke the ice to our initial connection.  As I read his extensive curriculum vitae online, I became more and more impressed by Hunt. His gifted hands have earned him the numerous awards and honorary degrees that color his expansive career.  This Chicago-born, African-American artist has earned the accolades and respect of many; among those in the fine art world, he is a household name.

On Monday, January 28th, I had the great privilege and honor of meeting and photographing Richard Hunt, world-renowned sculptor.  At 77, he is a handsome, gracious gentleman in every sense of the word.  When I arrived at his vast foundry on Chicago’s Lill Street, he was warm and welcoming.

The blaqstory (backstory): There was a moment when I felt a bit flustered, thinking, “This is a special moment, so make it count…blow it out.”  I looked down and suddenly realized that, before leaving home, I forgot to put my jewelry back on after moisturizing my hands.  Now, I was counting on impressing him, and my distinctive jewelry might have helped in making me appear shockingly fabulous and impressive to him…Rrrriiiight… (Get a grip, Shannon, who’s really impressing who here?)  Okay, okay, it was just a fleeting thought, but I found it hilarious.  (I can share a little vulnerability with you–I am so beautifully human!)  Although I wanted to show how honored I felt for this privilege of photographing him, he made ME feel special.

After perusing some of his images, I was reminded of the distinguished, well-loved actor, Sidney Poitier. Richard Hunt certainly possesses Sidney’s class, and both share the fact that they are legends in African-American history.

His massive foundry was a bit chilly, so he turned on this industrial-size heater that made things toasty in no time.  He asked more about me than I was prepared for as I had aimed for a conversational balance, making sure not to talk too much about myself.

But ultimately, it relaxed me; I was disarmed by Richard’s genuine interest in me.  I knew I was in the presence of greatness; I couldn’t help but notice his calm, majestic demeanor, or the fact that he was very kind, thoughtful and witty.  When I asked him to stand at his work station for a shot, he playfully lifted a hammer, as if to say, “This is a hammer.”  We then chuckled for a bit.  Upon learning that I sing, he asked, “Can you sing and photograph at the same time?  That would be interesting to see you photograph and sing at the same time.” I responded that I could and obliged, singing a gospel favorite, “Give Us This Day.”  Mr. Hunt’s response as he applauded was, “Wow, wonderful, wonderful.”  Click on the video link (below) to listen to a portion of the interview and serenade on BLÄQAZINE TV. Also see images at: Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blaqazine/

Studying his studio, my eye didn’t know where to look first.  His miniature sculptures have so much detail, and I thought, “There’s just not time to see it all.” I wanted to see everything, to not miss a thing, but as Hunt is busy making installations all over the U.S., time was of the essence.

As I spoke with Mr. Hunt, I found his honesty and candor refreshing. I noticed a pamphlet that emphasized the importance of the older generation teaching and passing down lessons to the younger generation.  How many times have you heard someone say, “Boy, they just don’t make ‘em like they use to?”  We must remember to learn the lessons from the older generation, to teach and learn how to be our best for the next generation, not only in life lessons, but in studying and mastering the arts.  Even today, music and art are vital to our children’s education.  As a homeschooling parent, I want to make sure my sons learn about the greatest artists in history. This week, my youngest child laid on the floor as he painted onto a canvas that was taped under a table; this exercise helped him. understand how difficult it was for the artist Michelangelo to finish painting the Sistine Chapel while on his back.  Maybe many of us don’t even realize that we have incredible artists like Michelangelo here in our very own backyard.  Richard Hunt is one of the living greats of our lifetime!

Hilton Kramer, art critic for the New York Times, has said, “African-American or otherwise, he will go down in history as the greatest sculptor of our time.”  I have asked a very dear friend of mine, Joan Schenk of Joan E. Schenk & Associates, to be a guest writer on BLÄQAZINE.  Schenk, who is also an amazing artist, has been friends with Hunt for more than 40 years.  Her perspective on this treasure of an artist will be a first-hand point of view, and much more of a true personal tribute.  Looking at the photograph of Mr. Hunt and myself (snapped by Joan), I smile.  It is always nice to have a commemorative image of my subject (or should I say, client) and me.  For me, this was the punctuation to a beautifully written sentence. This marked a very special moment in my photographic career thus far.   When he took my hand and placed his on top, I felt special and accepted, as though he was welcoming me and saying, “You are my friend indeed.”  Thank you, Richard Hunt, for opening your door to me.  I am in awe of your gifts, and am so grateful to know you.  In honor of Black History Month, I applaud and celebrate you!

 

 

Shannon Wright
Editor | Luxury, Fine Art Photographer
@loveshannonxo
@blaqwright

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RICHARD HUNT | Miniature Human Sculpture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCULPTURES BY RICHARD HUNT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIFTED HANDS | RICHARD HUNT BY SHANNON WRIGHT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RICHARD HUNT | STEEL SCULPTURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black History Month Honoree: RICHARD HUNT | The Man. The Artist. By: SHANNON WRIGHT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RICHARD HUNT | MINIATURE UNICYCLE SCULPTURE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RICHARD HUNT SCULPTURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HUNT – WRIGHT CONNECTION | Jan 2013

Filed under: FEATURE ARTICLES, WHAT'S THE BLÄQSTORY? Tagged: RICHARD HUNT