Modern Artist Imagines His Own Art Exhibition Within a Painting

Abstract Paintings by Justin Bunting

With bold, black lines and blocks of color, Justin Bunting‘s paintings are extremely striking. Similar to the abstract works of Pablo Picasso, they reimagine everyday scenes with a new perspective and sense of dynamism.

One of Bunting's most recently completed pieces depicts an art exhibition attended by numerous quirky visitors. “Since galleries won’t hang my work I’ve resorted to painting galleries IN my work. Take that Big Art,” he writes in the post. Bunting goes on to unpack what is happening in the composition. “The scene shows a chaotic moment unfolding in the middle of an artist's retrospective exhibit. The horse sculpture on the top left is angrily eyeing the painting thief in the bottom right as the figures in the bottom left watch in shock that the sculpture is conscious.”

Like other works, the painting of the art exhibition features a limited color palette. In this case blues, yellows, and browns. While it focuses on one interior scene, the space is framed by the bodies of a horse and stylized human figures. “To the right in the painting, you see the main ‘painting’ in the exhibition being guarded on either side by security,” he tells My Modern Met. “But they watch on as the figure from the painting climbs out into the ‘real world’ to reach for the painting thief, knocking over a couple of attendees in the process.”

Bunting incorporates many influences into his art, ranging from famous works of art by masters to elements of design and architecture. “I’ve recently bought some mid-century modern graphic design and ‘60s furniture books,” he adds. “Keep looking for new avenues of inspiration though, or things will go stale which is gross. You don’t let your bread get stale, you keep looking for new loaves, that sort of thing. Mid-century is my favorite bread right now.”

You can keep up to date with Bunting's latest art, including how to purchase your own, by following him on Instagram.

Artist Justin Bunting creates striking abstract works of art.

Abstract Paintings by Justin Bunting

Inspired by Pablo Picasso, Basquiat, as well as mid-century design, he creates mesmerizing compositions.

Abstract Paintings by Justin Bunting

Stylized human figures occupy interior scenes.

Abstract Paintings by Justin Bunting

Bold black outlines divide the large swatches of flat color.

Abstract Paintings by Justin Bunting

Abstract Paintings by Justin Bunting

Abstract Paintings by Justin Bunting

Justin Bunting: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Justin Bunting.

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Margherita Cole

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. She wrote and illustrated an instructional art book about how to draw cartoons titled 'Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square' that was published by Walter Foster in 2022.
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