Gary Hume Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Gary
Hume

Gary Hume, a prominent figure of the Young British Artists, is celebrated for his bold, minimalistic gloss paintings on aluminium panels. If you're looking for Gary Hume's original prints and editions for sale or wish to sell, request a complimentary valuation and explore our network's most in-demand works.

Biography

Gary Hume, born in 1962 in Tenterden, Kent, is a celebrated British artist who rose to prominence as part of the Young British Artists (YBAs) in the 1990s. Educated at Goldsmiths College, Hume quickly became known for his 'Door' paintings—large-scale works featuring glossy household paint on aluminium panels. These pieces marked the beginning of a career that has consistently pushed the boundaries of painting, exploring the interplay between form, colour, and abstraction. His work, often bordering on abstraction, is both visually striking and conceptually rigorous.

Hume's artistic journey began with his participation in the seminal 1988 Freeze exhibition, curated by fellow YBA Damien Hirst. This exhibition became a turning point for Contemporary British art, and Hume's contributions, particularly three life-sized paintings of hospital doors, quickly established him as a leading figure. These paintings, characterised by their smooth, reflective surfaces and minimalist aesthetic established Hume's artistic voice.

As his career progressed, Hume expanded his subject matter to include more figurative elements, often drawing inspiration from popular culture and nature. His 1998 screenprint Young Woman exemplifies this shift, where the flat, glossy planes of colour are used to create a portrait that is abstracted yet distinguishable. The print's simplicity in form and colour echoes Hume's broader practice, where the boundaries between figuration and abstraction are continually explored.

Hume's work has been exhibited globally, and his contributions have been recognised with several prestigious awards, including a nomination for the Turner Prize in 1996. He represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in 1999, further cementing his status as a major figure in Contemporary Art.

In 1997, Gary Hume was awarded the Jerwood Prize for Painting, a significant milestone in his career that recognised his innovative contributions to Contemporary Art. The Jerwood Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the UK, highlighted Hume's distinctive use of gloss paint and his exploration of minimalism and abstraction. This accolade contributed to Hume's status as a leading figure among the Young British Artists (YBAs) and underscored his influence in shaping the visual language of Contemporary Art.
Throughout his artistic career, Gary Hume has consistently explored iconic forms and images, ranging from hospital doors to pop culture icons. In Back of Snowman (2003), Hume tackles the universally familiar shape of the snowman, casting it in polished bronze—a material that juxtaposes the fleeting nature of snow. This piece references Michelangelo’s snowman commissioned by Piero de’ Medici, blending playful imagery with a deeper, enduring significance within the context of art and cultural memory.

Gary
Hume