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Eighteen years ago, I met Hunter Speagle for the first time when he walked into my Upper West Side studio, carrying a six-foot-tall thumbtack and a four-foot-tall box of crayons that, remarkably, actually functioned. These crayons, crafted by Hunter himself with a secret recipe in his kitchen, exemplified his creative spirit. At the time, he was immersed in developing a series of oversized office supplies for a museum exhibition, a project that reflected his penchant for transforming mundane objects into fine art.

Fast forward two decades, and Hunter has established himself as a distinctive voice in contemporary American art with an international presence. His work is represented by JPS Gallery in Hong Kong, which has facilitated exhibitions across Asia and Europe—markets that increasingly celebrate his work. This fall, I have assumed the role of his art dealer for the Americas.

In his latest series below, Hunter draws heavily from personal experience, translating intimate narratives into expansive, epic paintings that incorporate symbols from mythology and Christianity. He refers to this body of work as “Mythyologyanityism.” Though formally trained, Hunter employs a rebellious, inventive approach to oil painting. He arrives at the canvas with physical vigor and a commanding presence, using a paintbrush to tame his medium’s inherent unruly tendencies and challenge its limits. His work evokes both urban grit and rural serenity, experimenting with light, brushwork, and composition to craft paintings that are immediately recognizable. See his Full Exhibition List.

Hunter’s Early Days …

Born and raised in Hickory, North Carolina, Hunter Speagle exhibited an early aptitude for art, winning the Paul Whitener Painting Contest at age 12. His talent earned him a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2005. He later pursued and received a Master of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2012, establishing a solid foundation for a career marked by both technical skill and creative exploration.

In 2018, Speagle presented his first solo museum exhibition, “Walking the Dog”, at the Hickory Museum of Art—an acknowledgment of his growing reputation and his rootedness in his hometown. Over recent years, he has increasingly turned his attention to public murals, engaging with larger communities through commissions that include the large-scale historical mural, “The Miracle of Hickory” (2019), and a collaborative piece showcased at Art Basel Miami Beach the same year. He is also the founder of ATAC Gallery, an artist-led organization dedicated to fostering creative collaboration. Currently, Speagle resides and works in Hickory, maintaining a dialogue between his local roots and his expanding artistic reach. Full exhibition list.

For additional details, you can contact me at Gallery@StudioLauraLoving.com or 347-249-4525.