Gary Hume
Gary Hume
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Gary Hume is a British painter known professionally as Gary Hume.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on January 18, 1964 (alive)
Nationality and Profession(s)
British artist and painter
Early Life and Background
Gary Hume was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Growing up in a creative family, his mother was an art teacher, which likely influenced his interest in visual arts from a young age.
As the youngest of four children, Hume's early years were marked by frequent moves between Belfast and England due to his family's experiences during The Troubles. These circumstances instilled in him a strong sense of adaptability that would later serve him well as an artist navigating different cultures and art scenes.
Major Accomplishments
Gary Hume is perhaps best known for his vibrant, geometric paintings characterized by bold colors and smooth surfaces. His work often draws inspiration from everyday life, exploring themes such as nature, architecture, and the human form.
Some of his most notable works include the 'Rainbow' series (2003-2004), which features large-scale, brightly colored paintings inspired by British landscape and architecture; and 'No 69' (1992), a seminal work in his early career that showcased his interest in exploring the boundaries between painting and sculpture.
Notable Works or Actions
Hume's artistic journey is marked by numerous exhibitions at prominent galleries worldwide. His breakthrough came with the Turner Prize nomination in 1996, where he was shortlisted for his 'No Paintings' series (1991-1995). This pioneering work challenged traditional notions of painting and raised questions about what constitutes a painting.
Impact and Legacy
Gary Hume's innovative style has significantly influenced contemporary art, pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the medium. His use of bold colors and geometric forms paved the way for later artists exploring similar themes.
As an artist who continues to push the limits of his craft, Hume remains a vital figure in the art world, inspiring future generations with his unwavering commitment to innovation.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Gary Hume is widely quoted and remembered for his pioneering work in redefining the medium of painting. His influence can be seen in many artists who have followed in his footsteps, exploring themes such as color field painting, abstraction, and the relationship between art and everyday life.
As an artist who continually challenges traditional notions of what a painting should be, Hume's contributions to the world of contemporary art are immeasurable. His commitment to innovation has left a lasting impact on the art world, cementing his place among the most influential artists of our time.
Quotes by Gary Hume
The Doors are perfect paintings; a relief from the picture world I’ve created for myself.
I'm more and more fascinated in my own work. I work from 10 A.M. until about 9 P.M., but it's not an obsession, it's a pleasure. There's never enough time.
Small paintings can be fantastic. But you can't often get a narrative out of a small painting. In any case, museums are huge places, and you want to take up some space.
People constantly describe me as a formalist or even a minimalist, but I'm not really bothered with the rules of painting or the history of painting. My approach is that everything is mine. I take what I can use from wherever, and then I forget where I've taken it from. But there is no point me making anything that looks like anyone else's.
Sometimes I can see the whole painting from the outset in my mind's eye. But more often than not, that idea doesn't last the duration of the painting. Sometimes it comes out easy, just as I had envisaged. But that is reasonably rare.
One drawing demands to become a painting, so I start to work on that, and then the painting might demand something else. Then the painting might say, 'I want a companion, and the companion should be like this,' so I have to find that, either by drawing it myself or locating the image.
It's not part of my ambition to become fabulously rich. My plan was always to make my pictures, and hopefully people would buy them, and then I'd buy a studio, buy a house, help friends out, do bits and bobs - but I've no idea after that.
I'm probably not going to develop to a final state as an artist. Like, become better and better, more and more refined. Become 'pure.' I don't think that's going to happen to me, because I don't really see that as something I want to explore.
I'd like to give people leaden boots in galleries, so they'd be a bit slower in front of my paintings. And that's because I spend so much time looking at them. I can look at them a long, long time without getting bored. I disappear.
